Chelimo wins marathon Gold medal for Bahrain

CAIRO - 7 August 2017: Rose Chelimo, Kenyan born Bahraini long-distance runner, won the Gold medal in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in London on Sunday.

Giving Bahrain their first medal in the event, Chelimo told reporters after the race, “I was not expecting to win, I tried my best and I managed to become the world champion.”

Chelimo ended the marathon clocking 2 hours 27 minutes 11 seconds to win the gold medal while the Silver went to veteran, Edna Kiplagat and American Amy Cragg won the Bronze medal.

The 28-year-old who acquired Bahrain Citizenship in 2015 spoke about her opponent, Edna Kiplagat saying, “Edna Kiplagat is strong. At 35 kilometers I pushed, after some time Edna came and I said to myself let her go, I already accepted to be second. But then I caught her, I was encouraged and thought maybe I can try and I succeeded.”

Kiplagat, 37 years old, revealed reasons behind losing the Gold medal saying, "All the way I worked so hard, so the last 3kilometers were too long for me and slightly uphill. I think I was too tired after the previous sprints."

London hosts World Athletics Championships from August 4 to 13.