Muhitira posts personal-best time at World Championships

1. Hagos Gebrhiwet (Eth) 13:45.00 2. Ben True (USA) 13:45.093. Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Ken) 13:45.284. Tom Farrell (GB) 13:45.295. Imane Merga (Eth) 13:45.4117. Félicien Muhitira (Rwa) 14:11.12 Rwanda’s Félicien Muhitira recorded a personal best 14:11.12 in the men’s 5000m semi-finals on Wednesday morning at the ongoing IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China. The 21-year old, who was competing in the 5000m for the first time on the international scene after receiving an invitation from the world governing body, IAAF, finished 17th in a strong pack of renowned athletes. After making a strong start, Muhitira dropped off the leading pack at the 2000m mark but still managed to run a personal best time in heat 1 that was won by Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet, who clocked 13:45.00. The top five in each heat plus the next five fastest, qualified for the final to will be held on Saturday at the Bird’s Nest Stadium. Ben True (USA), Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Kenya), Tom Farrell (Great Britain) and Imane Merga (Ethiopia) made up the top five in heat 1. Great Britain’s Mo Farah, who won the 10000m world title on Saturday, survived a scare after he was tripped in the last lap setting the second fastest time in the round 13:19.44 to qualify for the final. Farah, Kenya’s Caleb Ndiku and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia are the favourites to win gold on Saturday. Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) technical director John Peter Ndacyayisenga told Times Sport that, “It is good progress for Muhitira. He was in Beijing to prepare for the All Africa Games where we want him to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.” Muhitira will compete in the men’s 10,000m at the continental event slated for September 4-19 in Congo Brazzaville. He qualified for the All Africa Games at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland after posting 28:04 and will need to shed off four seconds to qualify for the Olympic Games whose qualification mark is 28:00. “It was the first time Muhitira is competing in 5000m at the world stage and to set his personal best is a big achievement,” Ndacyayisenga added. Born in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Muhitira is the youngest member of the senior national team, having joined athletics two years ago and in his first year of competition. He participated in the 2013 Africa Junior Athletics Championships in Mauritius where he finished sixth in the boys’ 10,000m. He also competes in the men’s half marathon, full marathon and cross country events. He finished fourth at this year’s Peace Marathon in the men’s half marathon. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Muhitira posts personal-best time at World Championships