58th WMC Cross-Country - Beja (POR) - Day 1 & 2
BEJA (POR) - After the traditional Opening Ceremony of the event, the competitions of the 58th WMC Cross-Country took place this Wednesday, October 12, in the facilities of the Air Base N°11 in Beja, Portugal, with nearly 190 athletes (109 male and 87 female participants) from 27 CISM member nations competing to become the military world champion of the discipline.
And the least we can say is that we witnessed suspenseful races that were dominated by two nations used to military podiums in the discipline, namely Kenya and Bahrain.
Indeed, in the men's category, no less than ten athletes finished less than a minute behind the winner of the day, the Kenyan Edmon Kiprgetich. The Kenyan became the world military champion by finishing the 10 kilometer cross-country race in a time of 30 minutes and 36 seconds with a few seconds ahead of two Bahrainis. Indeed, Albert Rop takes the bronze medal with three seconds behind the winner of the day (00:30:39) while his compatriot Dawit Adamasu finishes on the third step of the podium. Moroccan Mustapha Houdadi, who also had a great race, finished fourth while another Bahraini, Birhanu Balew, closed the top 5.
Thanks to the superb individual results of its athletes, the Bahraini men's team, composed of Albert Rop, Dawit Adamasu, Birhanu Balew and Abdinasir Elmi, won the team competition ahead of Kenya (Kiprgetich, Too, Mwaniki and Birgen) while the Algerians Ouarghi, Zaghdane, Bouchicha and Laameuch finished third.
In the women's race, cross-country enthusiasts witnessed a recital by the Bahraini women's delegation, which placed three representatives on the podium.
Already winner of the 3000m steeplechase and silver medalist of the 5000m at the Wuhan 2019 Military World Games, the Bahraini Winfred Yavi offered herself a new title by finishing the 8km course with 18 seconds ahead of her compatriot Bontu Rebitu, silver medalist with a time of 00:27:41. The success was total for the Bahraini delegation with the third place of Violah Kilonzo (00:27:43). Kenya also performed well with fourth and fifth places for Purity Momen and Valentin Chepkcech.
Given the results of the women's individual race, it is no surprise that Bahrain also won the team competition. Congratulations to Winfred Yavi, Bontu Rebitu, Violah Kilonzo and Ruth Jebet who finished ahead of Kenya (Momen, Chepkcech, Menkampi and Njens) and Poland (Lisowska, Paszkiewicz, Mach and Brzezinska) who finished second and third respectively.
The second and final day of competition was dedicated to the Mixed Relay, with each delegation choosing two male and two female athletes for a 4x2km relay.
After having already impressed on the first day, Bahrain did it again by taking the gold medal in the mixed relay thanks to the magnificent performance of Tigest Gashaw (F), Zoheir Awad (M), Winfred Yavi (F) and Birhanu Yemataw (M) who won the gold with a time of 24: 04, with 27 seconds on their runner-up of the day, Kenya (Komen (F), Birgen (M), Kepkoech (F) and Muguti (M). Italy wins its first medal of the championship thanks to the third place of Cavalli (F), Riva (M), Del Buono (F) and Aresa (M).
- Results : Individual Male - Team Male - Individual Female - Team Female - Mixed Relay
- More information on the Organizing Committee Website
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Portuguese Delegation to CISM)
