Great Ethiopian Run (GER) - Defar leads Ethiopian squad in Doha

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Defar leads Ethiopian squad in Doha

26 February 2010- Ethiopia's world 3000m indoor champion Meseret Defar will lead the country's squad for the 13th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar (12-14 March 2010).

The 26-year old, who run the third and second fastest times in the history of the 3000m and 5000m indoors in her two competitive races this year, is hoping to win a four consecutive world indoor 3000m gold in the Qatari capital and confirm her status as the most decorated Ethiopian runner indoors.

Joining her in the 3000m squad will be Sentayehu Ejigu, who made a surprising comeback to action this year with an 8.25 personal best in Stuttgart.

In addition to Defar, Ethiopia will have three other defending world indoor champions in the squad. Tariku Bekele is the second fastest in the world over the 3000m and together with Abraham Cherkos, hopes to repeat their performance of first and third place finishes from Valencia two years ago.

Deresse Mekonnen smashed his personal best in the men's 1500m to move to fifth in the all-time rankings for the event this year and will be joined by Mekonnen Gebremedhin in a repeat of the line-up from two years ago.

And Gelete Burka, the fastest in the world this year over the women's mile, will join Kalkidan Gezhagne, the world junior indoor record holder for the mile and 1500m, in a strong women's team. Gezhagne is also the fastest in the world this year over the 1500m.

Ethiopian squad for Doha
Women's 1500m: Kalkidan Gezhagne, Gelete Burka
Men's 1500m: Deresse Mekonnen, Mekonnen Gebremedhin
Women's 3000m: Meseret Defar, Sentayehu Ejigu
Men's 3000m: Tariku Bekele, Abraham Cherkos

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