The 37th Scotland- Edinburgh world cross country championship stands as one of the biggest ever athletes victory for Ethiopia. What is more astonishing is that of the gold medal performances by seventeen years old Genzebe Dibaba and 18 year old Ibrahim Jelan. Sure Ibrahim had had few international experiences. How ever for smiling little Genzebe it is a tantamount achievement at this tender age. Four gold medals out of four Ethiopia once again is proud of the Dibaba family.

37th world cross country in Edinburgh ends with the greatest Ethiopian achievement, Kenenisa, Terunesh, Genzebe, Ibrahim win

The 36th World cross country athletics championship in Edinburgh Scotland turned out to be an all Ethiopian affair despite the presence of thousands from seventeen nations all over the world. Out of twelve individual medals the heroic Ethiopian squad collected seven leaving only five for the rest of the world to scramble for.
King of world-cross country Kenenisa once again showed the world what an undisputed champion he is, overcoming three difficulties; missing his connection flight that stranded him for a full day at Heathrow, an overnight stomach upset and a dislodged shoe in mid race before gobbling up his adversaries. It was the best ever performance second only to the former two time world best athlete Kenenisa only to his hard to believe act in 2004 Athens Olympic 10000 meter race waiting for mentor Hailer G/Selassie at the back despite a Kenyan athlete was in front. While the world was flabbergasted watching Kenenisa left behind kneeled down to secure his dislodged shoes, the Olympic gold medalist as cool as ice, finished the job at hand got up, crossed himself and went back to business that is catching up the flock spear headed by defending champion Eritrean Zeresenay Tadesse and Kenyan Leonard Patrik Komon. Surprisingly it took him sheer determination yet little effort to work up his way back up to the field then join the leading pack. The two Kenyans Komon and Ebuya in witness Zeresenay tried to throw several bursts that ultimately tired him to throw away even second place.
Four kilometers from the finish line the front four were by themselves the two Kenyan pair side by side behind him, Kenenisa stayed a bit longer at the back before seizing his moment and the rest is history. “This is special for me although I am proud of my previous achievements” said Kenenisa after a clear win. Patrick Komon of Kenya came second followed by Zeresenay Tadesse who told reporters that he is happy to win a bronze medal for his country. The day’s victory that also earned Kenenisa USD 30000 took his record number of individual world cross country titles to 12 (6 long, 5short course 1 junior). Five World cross country double and one single gold, Kenenisa is now in history book as all time great World cross country champion.
Olympic and world champion Trunesh Dibaba also joined the history books winning her third World cross country gold medal in Senior Women’s 8 KM race. Back from long rest due to injury Trunesh reclaimed her title in a thrilling way unfurling her trade mark finishing kick at the final 400 meters. It took a few minutes before the 22 year old leapt from fourth to take the lead all the way followed by her compatriot Mestwat Tufa who reached home five seconds later. Kenyan Lenet Masay finished third in 25:18. Inspired by younger sister Genzebe Dibaba’s astonishing victory in Women’s Junior, the elder Dibaba showed a mesmerizing come back to win the day at the same time sharing the record of her cousin two time Olympic gold medalist Derartu Tulu and USA Lynn Lennings who won the long distance in three occasions. She is also a joint record holder with Grete Waitz of Norway in winning World cross country championships five individual gold. All in all Dibaba has now won 14 World Cross Country gold together.
At seventeen the youngest of the three Dibaba’s, Genzebe not only has championship blood in her veins but also emulating the killer smile of her immediate elder Trunesh. The teenager came out of the shadow at Edinburgh after lurking behind the pack for most of the distance then pouncing in front at the final stage then never to look back until crossing the finishing line in 19:59. Kenyan Irene Cheptai tried to catch up to Genzebe but failed for the teenager has already geared up to the limit. Cheptai finished second five seconds later with 18 year old Ethiopian Emebet Etea claiming the bronze. Here comes the third Dibaba to world athletics stardom following in the footstep of her elder sisters Tirunesh and Ejegayehu.
In the Men’s junior 8KM showdown the same surprise story unfurled when 18 year old Ibrahim Jelan muscled out the three year old Kenyan dominancy in the distance. After three consecutive domestic titles Jelan’s dream of winning an international title came true when he stayed behind Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat and Kenyan Mathew Kipkoech for most of the race then gearing up strong to out run his adversaries. The duo who tried to catch up with him later got out of steam to finally surrender even second place to Jelan;’s compatriot Ayele Abshero. The bronze went to Kenyan Kipkoech.
In addition to the four gold, two silver and one bronze the Ethiopian squad won two group gold medals in Men’s junior and Women’s senior events.

United returns with an emphatic victory, Liverpool vs Arsenal ends in a draw

An astonishing 29th minute header from Christiano Ronaldo Manchester United gave the visitors the upper hand to full time domination that climaxed in a 2-0 away victory. Though many claimed the premier league leading scorer with 26 goals is not a big match player, the Portuguese ace proved them all wrong in Rome Olympic stadium. Minus inspirational player Toti, the host As Roma performed more than fans expecttion that with little luck they could have returned with victory. Rooney’s second in the 66th minute was the ultimate heart breaker for the visitors who were taking the upper hand while it gave his side a comfortable first leg away victory. The return leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday considered a matter of formality for every one United except Sir Alex Ferguson who told his squad to better stay focused. “We won because luck was with us”said Fergie after the match. What Manchester’s expensive lose at Olympic stadium is the injury of Numania vidic who is going to stay away from field from 2-3 weeks.
Barcelona’s travel to Germany was also a success story after seventeen years old Bojan Kirkic scored the winning goal in the 17th minute. Henry’s volley stumbled by the goal keeper to once again find the striker who sent a low cross to find Kirkic who tapped the ball home. The away victory for slumping at home Barcelona in front of a capacity crowed 53951meant a lot for the side already one leg in to the semi final.
The dearly awaited all English clash between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates ended to a 1-1 draw. The home side took the lead through Emmanuel Adebayor’s header only to get level three minutes later when Dark Kytes found the back of the net thanks to Gerard’s effort to square the ball in front of the goal face. Clear penalty denied when Hleb tripped in the box where the referee just five meters far. The return leg on Tuesday appears to favor the home side Liverpool . Chelsea considered the lucky one is back from Turkey after a 2-1 defeat. Actually the Blues took the lead through David’s own goal but the host’s second half gallant performance made things harder. Brazilian manager Zico praised his side for the famous home victory regardless of the return leg out come. “Sure we travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for a famous win” over joy Zico remarked.

Coffee clinch decisive victory over Ethiopia Banks
Awasa lost to Adama Kenema

Half a dozen goals on the week end followed by an away victory over Finchaa Sugar FC Saint George leads the league table in comfort. Since defeating city rival and the season’s surprise side Electric, the league leaders appeared to find their best form. Two goals each from Salhadin Said and Adane Girma the remaining two from Andualem and Habtamu, Saint George crushed Omedla 6-0. On Thursday Saint’s traveled to Finchaa to add three points and sit on the table with 43 points out of 17 matches. In the mean time defending champion Awasa Kenema second in the table with 36 points out of 18 matches faces set back after loosing to host Adama Kenema in mid week. Second in the table for consecutive weeks, Awasa is now in danger of surrendering second spot to fast riding high Electric and Adama Kenema. A goal less draw on the week end Electric won Nyala FC 2 -1 at home. Electric is currently third in the league table with 36 points out of 16 matches. Coffee appeared to shrugs off the danger of relegation after mid week convincing victory over city rival Ethiopia Banks. Two goals from in form Tafesse Tesfaye Coffee defeated Banks 2-0 to go up the ladder to 15th place. Bringing in former player Tilahun Mengesha to the hot seat seems lucky streak for Ethiopian Coffee. Having one of the strongest squad in the league why Ethiopia Banks failed to perform to the fans expectation is what talk of the town is. The danger of relegating to lower division is looming on the club. Under head coach Seyoum Abate Insurance stayed in mid table with a trade mark of inconsistency. Insurance lost to city rival Nyala 2-1 on the week end then a 1-0 victory over Agriculteral Marketing on Wednesday.
Saint George the hottest favorite to claim the Millennium Cup, Awasa Kenema, Electric and Adama Kenema seem the only sides capable to stop Saint’s from a run away season. Saint George striker Salhadin Said is leading the top scorer list with 14 goals followed by Solomon Kebede of Methara Sugar with 11 goals. Tafesse Tesfaye is third and on fast rise with seven goals.