Jamal holds on to take 1,500 metres gold for Bahrain

OSAKA, Japan, Sept 2 (Reuters) Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal held on to claim her first world championship title with victory in a close-fought 1,500 metres final today.

The Ethiopian-born 22-year-old struck for home with 300 metres to go but Russian Yelena Soboleva stayed with her and Jamal needed every ounce of strength to stay ahead, crossing the line for gold in three minutes 58.75 seconds.

Soboleva, who had led for most of the race, won silver in 3:58.99 and Ukraine's Iryna Lischynska was third in 4:00.69.

Unlike many of the other African athletes who have flocked to represent Arabian states, Jamal turned to Bahrain after being refused citizenship by Switzerland, where she had claimed political asylum.

REUTERS SSC RK1805