Masai claims shock victory

Teenager Linet Masai caused a massive upset when winning the World Championships 10,000 metres title with a thrilling burst of finishing speed in Berlin on Saturday.

Masai, who had done much of the pacemaking in the final 3000m of a slow race, looked to have paid the penalty when one the pre-race favourites Meselech Melkamu and Wude Ayalew applied pressure on the final circuit.

The 19-year-old Kenyan, who set a world junior record when fourth in last summer’s Olympic final, refused to panic when sandwiched between the Ethiopian pair down the back straight on the final circuit

But all seemed lost for Masai when Ayalew burst clear with Melkamu in her slipstream over the final half lap.

Masai eagerly stuck to her task and continuing to challenge, was rewarded when her rivals slowed in the final 20 metres allowing her to slip across the line for a memorable victory.

The blanket finish between the trio saw Masai snatch the gold medal by just 0.10 seconds in a time of 30 minutes 51.24 seconds ahead of Melkamu with Ayalew third 0.72secs behind the winner.