By Omulo Okoth in London
World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Milka Chemos Chewya was carried off the finish line after a strenuous sprint battle with Ethiopia's Sofia Assefa in which she lost by the thickness of a vest.
Russia's Yuliya Zaripova won the race in 9:06.72 with Tunisia's Habiba Ghribi, also world silver medalist, following in 9:08.37 and Assefa timing 9:09.84. Mercy Njoroge faded to 10th position in 9:26.73.
"I did not just compete. That is not how I usually run. May be the competition was too tough for me," said Njoroge.
Chewya was carried outside the track and failed to appear at the mixed zone for interviews even as it emerged that she had that injury from Nairobi, which team Media Liaison Peter Angwenyi denied
vehemently.
It was very clear from midway the race that the two Kenyans were not in contention as their Ethiopian rivals Assefa, Hiwot Ayalew (fifth) and Etenesh Diro (sixth) pushed the more experienced Russian to the limit.
Njoroge faded with two laps to go while Chewya appeared to fight back while failing to catch up shortly before the final water jump.
