Obiri leads star-studded women’s 5,000m semis

Multiple 5000m World champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Hellen Obiri, leads two other Kenya women in two-time World 10000m bronze medalist Agnes Tirop and Lilian Kasait in their quest to retain the Olympic gold in the distance. 

The decorated Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) athlete who boasts of World trophies both on the track indoors and outdoors, World relays as well as the World cross country is chasing the only gold medal missing in her cabinet, the Olympic gold.

Obiri is in heat two alongside Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay and Francine Niyonsaba, who is making her first attempt at clinching an Olympic medal in the distance after switching from 800m, among the notable names in the heat.

Tsegay won the Ethiopian trials in 14:13, the fastest time in the world this year and fifth fastest in history she also beat world record holder Letesenbet Gidey over 5000m in April. Obiri, however, brings theist championship experience to the races. 

The other two Kenyans, Tirop and Kasait, have a tough hurdle in heat one that has another pre-race favourite, Netherlands' Sifan Hassan who is chasing an unprecedented triple, having entered in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m races. 

Additionally, the formidable duo of 21-year-old Ethiopian Ejgayehu Taye and her counterpart, 2015 Worlds silver medalist Senbere Teferi, who have the second and third fastest times at 14:14.09 and 14:1.24 respectively, sitting in sixth and seventh on the all-time list race in heat one too.

"I am doing a double in Tokyo and that calls for a good strategy. I am in good shape and I believe I have what it takes. For now I am focused on the 5000m race, only after I have achievement my target can I switch to 10,000m preparations. This being a championship, I will be careful not to burn out. What matters is how one finishes," Obiri said. 

Kenya is looking to defend the gold won in 2016 by Vivian Cheruiyot ahead of Obiri.