Ramzi runs away with it

Rashid Ramzi lived up to his status as the fastest in the world this year when he won the men’s 1500m tonight in 3:37.88 giving Bahrain its first ever medal at an IAAF World Championships.

Ramzi attacked from 300m out and held off the challenge of Morocco’s Adil Kaouch and Portugal’s Rui Silva in the home straight. Those two fought a close battle for the silver, which Kaouch won in 3:38.00, two-hundredths ahead of Silva.

Bahrain has never even had a track finalist before at a world championships – its best position in any final was 44th in the women’s marathon two years ago. Indeed, it’s 22 years since it even had a semi-finalist.

“This medal is very important for me and my country,” said Ramzi. “I am very proud to be able to deliver this gold medal.”

The men’s 1500m has now been won by north Africans at every edition of the championships since Britain’s Steve Cram took the inaugural title here in Helsinki in 1983.

In the absence of Olympic gold and silver medallists, Hicham El Guerouj and Bernard Lagat, this was thought to be one of the most open events on the timetable. But Ramzi has been the best in the world this year and the field seemed to play into his hands, giving him an easy ride for the first half of the race then dragging the kick out of his rivals in the second half.

Spain’s Arturo Casado went to the front from the gun with USA’s Alan Webb on his shoulder. Then another Spaniard Reyes Estevez took over and led the bunched field through 400m in 60.73. Ramzi was comfortably off the pace in eighth place but away from the kerb so he could cover any movements up front.

After 700 metres Silva moved to Webb’s shoulder and Ramzi moved up the field. Then after two laps Webb took off, exploding from the front and immediately opening a gap of five metres on Estevez.

Kenya’s Alex Kipchirchir and then Ramzi followed with Ukraine’s Ivan Heshko also giving chase. Webb led at the bell, in 2:43.69, but Ramzi was now on his shoulder and poised to pounce. He attacked with 300m to go, dragging Heshko, Kipchirchir and Silva with him.

He kicked again 200m from home and led into the straight. Heshko began to fade as Kaouch and Silva – who had barely figured before now – moved to the outside. Ramzi was strong enough to hold them off but Heshko slipped back to fourth as Kaouch outdipped Silva on the line.

“I was hoping we would spread it out a little so I would have a bit more space to run my own race,” said Ramzi. “But I had to wait until the last lap to beat them with my speed.”

Silva had come from way down the field to take a bronze medal just as he did last year in last year’s Olympic final. Kaouch, once El Guerouj‘s pace maker, was now on the podium himself.

“I am not even tired at all,” he said.

“After a very difficult season I must be satisfied with this bronze medal,” said Silva. “I just tried to concentrate on my own race and not look at anyone else.”