Defar Going For Fifth Consecutive Indoor Title

She’s been dominating the indoor 3000m since 2004.

Ethiopia’s best indoor athlete, Meseret Defar, is hoping to make history this weekend at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Defar has won gold in the 3000m event at every championships since 2004. Were she to win this weekend, Defar would tie Cuba’s Ivan Pedroso for five world-championship gold medals. Pedroso won his medals in the men’s long jump from 1993-2001.

The Ethiopian’s performances this year bode well for her chances in Istanbul. Defar owns two of the fastest 3000m times this year and dominated the field in Birmingham, England with a world-leading 8:31.56 last month.

Joining Defar in the race will be fellow Ethiopian Gelete Burka who was the 2008 World Indoor 1500m Champion.

Kenya is also in the mix with Hellen Obiri and Sylvia Kibet. Obiri came in second in Birmingham behind Defar (8:35.35), while Kibet took silver in the 5000m event at the 2011 World Championships (outdoors).

Morocco also has a chance at gold with Mariem Selsouli who ran a blazing 8:36.87 in Karlsruhe, Germany this season.

For More: IAAF