Moroccan athlete wins 1,500m race in Algiers international meet

Morocco's Youssef Baba won in Algiers on Thursday the 1,500m race in Algiers international meet with a timing of 3:40.09.

The Moroccan was followed by French Kader Chekmani (3:40.27) and Algerian Tarek Boukensa.

Another Moroccan, Amine Lahlou, ranked first in the 800m contest with 1:45.20, followed by Algerian Said Djabir Aissa and his compatriot, Mouhcine Chehibi.

In the women category, Morocco's Sultana Ait Hammou ranked first in the 800m with 1:59. 74 ahead of Ukrainian Gourtavzenko Yulia (2:01.08) and Mozambican Paulino Tina (2:01.22).

The sports event, that was initially scheduled in June 9 and postponed to July 17 because of the earthquake that hit Algeria last May 21, gathered some 102 foreign athletes representing more than 40 countries.

Morocco has thus far captured three gold medals, a silver medal won by Malika Assehsah on the women's 5.000m race (15:23.55), and two bronze medals taken by Bouchra Chaabi on the women's 5,000m (15:32.97) and Mouhcine Chehibi, on the men's 800 m race (1:45.73).