Francine Niyonsaba went No.5 on the world all-time rankings for the women’s 3000m with another strong run at the Meeting de Paris on Saturday, August 28.
With 8:19.08 she beat Ejgayehu Taye – as the Ethiopian runner-up went No.6 on the world all-time rankings with 8:19.52.
For Niyonsaba, who went through halfway [1500m] in 4:11.6, it was also a world lead and meeting record.
“This race and this victory mean a lot to me,” she said. “I worked very hard for that. I knew before the race that it could be very difficult to win tonight because many girls are so strong on this distance. But I was ready.
“I’m happy with everything today – the race, the time, the victory.”
Margaret Kipkemboi of Kenya was third in 8:21.53 and American Elise Cranny fourth in 8:30.30, just ahead of Fantu Worku of Ethiopia and Eilish McColgan – the Briton just outside her 8:31.00 PB with 8:31.36.
World all-time 3000m rankings
Wang Junxia [CHN] 8:06.11 Beijing, 1993
Qu Junxia [CHN] 8:12.18 Beijing, 1993
Zhang Linli [CHN] 8:16.50 Beijing, 1993
Sifan Hassan [NED] 8:18.49 Palo Alto, 2019
Francine Niyonsaba [BDI] 8:19.08 Paris, 2021
Ejgayehu Taye [ETH] 8:19.52 Paris, 2021
Liyan Ma [CHN] 8:19.78 Beijing, 1993
Konstanze Klosterhalfen [GER] 8:20.07 Palo Alto, 2019
Letesenbet Gidey [ETH] 8:20.27 Palo Alto, 2019
Hellen Obiri [KEN] 8:20.68, Doha, 2014
A fortnight earlier Niyonsaba gave the world record for two miles a scare with 9:00.75 at the Pre Classic in Eugene to beat world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder Letesenbet Gidey.
As an 800m runner Niyonsaba won the world indoor titles in 2016 and 2018 and finished runner-up in the 2016 Olympics and 2017 World Championships behind Caster Semenya.
However she was forced to move up in distance due to the new rules relating to testosterone levels and at the Tokyo Games she placed fifth in the 10,000m final in 30:41.93.
Credit: AW
www.sports24ghana.com
