Dibaba scoops surprise gold

Dibaba was this year's world junior cross country champion

Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba produced a brilliant sprint finish to claim a surprise gold in the women's 5,000 metres at the World Championships in Paris.

Her compatriot Berhane Adere had been fancied to take the title after winning the 10,000m but it was Dibaba who edged out European champion Marta Dominguez and Kenya's Edith Masai to win the gold.

Dibaba, who triumphed in this year's World Junior Cross Country Championship, won in 14:51.72 with Dominguez clocking 14:52.26 and Masai (14:52.30) pipping Russia's Yelena Zadorozhnaya for the bronze medal in a desperately tight finish.

Adere, who had been in contention at the bell, faded in the closing 200m to finish in 10th place - just ahead of Sydney Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo.

1995 champion Sonia O'Sullivan, who had been fancied to claim a medal by some pundits, lost contact with the pack at 3000m and finished in last place in 15:36.92 - almost 55 seconds outside her personal best.

Dibaba, a cousin of twice Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu, is the youngest ever gold medallist at a World Championships.

"These are my first world championships and winning the title is an amazing thing for me," said Dibaba.

"Derartu was so supportive of me before the race that I think she will be very proud of me".

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1. Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) 14:51.72
2. Marta Dominguez (SPA) 14:52.26
3. Edith Masai (KEN) 14:52.30
4. Yelena Zadorozhnaya (RUS) 14:52.36
5. Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) 14:53.56
6. Isabella Ochichi (KEN) 14:54.08
7. Gulnara Samitova (RUS) 14:54.38
8. Courtney Babcock (CAN) 14:54.98
9. Yingjie Sun (CHI) 14:57.01
10. Berhane Adere (ETH) 14:58.07
11. Gabriela Szabo (ROM) 14:59.36
12. Emilie Mondor (CAN) 15:02.36
13. Zahra Ouaziz (MOR) 15:16.73
14. Zhor El Kamch (MOR) 15:29.72
15. Sonia O'Sullivan (IRE) 15:36.62