News - Monday 3rd April 2006

Kenenisa achieves historic double in 4km and 12km titles

Ethiopian athletic champion Kenenisa Bekele achieved an historic double at the weekend, becoming the first man to win both the 4km and 12km titles five years in a row.

Kenenisa stormed to victory in the Men’s 4km race and 12km races at the World Cross Country Championships at the Umi-no-Nakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka, Japan on Saturday and Sunday respectively. He took the 12km gold medal in a time of 35 minutes and 40 seconds. Fellow Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine took silver with a time of 35 minutes 43 seconds.

The weekend’s success means Kenenisa, who has set world records in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres in the last two years, has an impressive tally of 18 track, indoor and cross country titles.

Meanwhile, last year’s junior champion Gelete Burka won the women’s 4km title with a time of 12 minutes and 51 seconds, with fellow Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu finishing in third place in 12 minutes and 54 seconds.

After the competition, Kenenisa announced that he was considering his competitive future in World Cross Country Championships.

“I have competed for six years now and have prevailed. I can't achieve anything else,” he said.

“I have provided hope for the up-and-coming athletes from my country. I would like to make way for them.”

Kenesisa said he would focus on winning titles at the World Championships and the Olympics instead, and would attempt to break records in other events such as the 3,000m and the 2 miles. He also said that eventually – but not in the near future – he may step up to the marathon.

ENDS