Bahrain’s Dawit Fikadu wins 7th Okpekpe Road Race

By Akeem Lawal

BAHRAIN athlete, Dawit Admasu Fikadu clocked 29.03 to emerge the first non African to win the 2019 Okpekpe 10km Road Race in Okpekpe, Edo State on Saturday.


Fikadu won the seventh edition of the road race ahead of Ethiopia’s Berehanu Tsegu and John Kipsang from Kenya, who finished in second and third position with the time of 29:04 and 29:17 respectively.

In the women’s category Shella Chelangat of Kenya emerged winner with the time of 33:14 to outran her compatriot, Tuidoek Jepchirchir, who finished second in 33:18. Kasegn Aseta of Ethiopia finished in this rd position with a time of 33:31.

Meanwhile, it was a sweet wedding gift for two of Nigeria’s long distance runners, Emmanuel Gyan and Deborah Pam, who got married early this month as they both emerged first from the country in both the male and women categories.

While Pam won her seventh title since inception of the race, it was a fourth consecutive victory for her husband, Gyang.

Speaking with media, Pam said she was unable to prepare very well for the race due to the arrangements for her wedding to Gyang, but was encouraged by her husband/coach.
"I feel very happy participating in this year's race despite my late preparation because I had my marriage just this month,” she said.

"Though people didn't believe I would still participate but I showed them that I can still retain my title which I did.”

While the Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillips Shaibu, alongside the outgoing minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, led other dignitaries in the VIP race, the former governor of the state and the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomole, was with new race tagged the APC Race.

About 26 countries participated in this year’s race.

Men’s results:

1) Fikadu Admasu Dawit, Bahrain, 29:03
2) Berehanu Tsegu, Ethiopia, 29:04
3) John Kipsang Lotiang, Kenya, 29:17
4) Alex Korlo, Kenya, 29:18
5) Maxwell Rotich Kortek, Uganda, 29:36
6) Leonard Barsoton, Kenya, 29:37

Nigeria men’s results:

1) Emmanuel Gyang Gwom 31:42
2) William Amponsah 32:02
3) Stephen Daylop Joshua 32:22
4) Ismail Sadjo 32:31
5) Adamu Shehu Muazu 32:32
6) Gideon Goyet 32:41
7) Iliya Pam Mwanta 32:57
8) Ishmael Arthur 33:27

WOMEN’S RESULTS:

1) Sheila Chelangat, Kenya, 33:14
2) Tuitoek Dorcas Jepchirchir, Kenya, 33:18
3) Kasegn Alemtsehay Asefa, Ethiopia, 33:31
4) Gudeta Buzunesh Getachew, Ethiopia, 33:41
5) Oltaruseh Perine Nengkampi, Kenya, 33:45

NIGERIA WOMEN’S RESULTS:

1) Deborah Pam Badung, 38:13
2) Hudung Gyang Stephen, 38:18
3) Folakemi Olude, 38:59
4) Mary Moses, 39:27
5) Rotgang James Gomos, 40:10