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Kyuma Sisters Fall Outside Medals at World Youth Games

by Brett Larner

The identical twin Kyuma sisters Haruka and Moe made up the Japanese contingent in the girls' 3000 m on the first day of the 2009 World Youth Championships in Sudtirol, Italy. Moe Kyuma, who made a memorable impression with her dynamic performance at January's National Interprefectural Women's Ekiden, challenged the lead pack of Kenyans Purity Cherotich Rionoripo and Jackline Chepngeno and Ethiopians Genet Yalew and Emebet Anteneh. Unable to sustain what was for her and all but eventual winner Rionoripo a PB pace, Kyuma finished one second behind Anteneh in 5th, clocking 9:19.73. Haruka Kyuma, marginally the stronger of the sisters, had a weak showing as she finished second to last in 9:54.49.

2009 World Youth Championships - Top Finishers
click division header for complete results
Girls' 3000 m
1. Purity Cherotich Rionoripo (Kenya) - 9:03.79
2. Jackline Chepngeno (Kenya) - 9:05.93 - PB
3. Genet Yalew (Ethiopia) - 9:08.95 - PB
4. Emebet Anteneh (Ethiopia) - 9:18.59 - PB
5. Moe Kyuma (Japan) - 9:19.73
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12. Haruka Kyuma (Japan) - 9:54.49

(c) 2009 Brett Larner
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