Beijing 2015: Ghebreslassie delivers first Eritrean gold – AthleticsAfrica
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Beijing 2015

Beijing 2015: Ghebreslassie delivers first Eritrean gold

Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie won the first gold medal of the 2015 IAAF World Athletics Championships on a very hot and sunny morning in Beijing on Saturday.

Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie at the Press Conference after winning the men's marathon gold medal on Day 1 of Beijing 2015 / Photo credit: Yomi Omogbeja

Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie won the first gold medal of the 2015 IAAF World Athletics Championships on a very hot and sunny morning in Beijing, China on Saturday.

Ghebreslassie destroyed a packed field that includes Ugandan defending world champion from Moscow 2013, Stephen Kiprotich, Kenyan World marathon record-holder, Dennis Kimetto and the former record-holder Wilson Kipsang to take the men’s marathon race victory in 2:12.28.

The 19-year-old became the youngest ever winner of a road event at the IAAF World Championships and the first Eritrean athlete to win a gold medal at the world championships.

Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay claimed the silver medal in 2:13:08 and Ugandan Munyo Solomon Mutai completed the Beijing 2015 podium taking the bronze medal in 2:14:30.

Defending champion Kiprotich was sixth in 2:14:43 while pre-race favourites Kimetto and Kipsang once again disappointed after they failed to finish the race in the Chinese capital.

At the press conference afterwards, Ghebreslassie said: “I thank my manager and the officials of my federation who supported me and gave me the chance to qualify for these championships.

“It’s the first (World Championships) gold medal in Eritrean history and it’s very special for me. It gives me motivation to continue hard for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.”

Meet The Authors

Yomog Meje is a former Nigerian junior athlete and the Associate editor at Athletics Africa.

You May Also Like

Galleria

Photo gallery: African athletes compete at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Champonships in Doha, Qatar on 27 September - 6 October, 2019.

Nigeria

Favour Ofili is the reigning youth Olympic champion from Buenos Aries 2018 and topped the bill in the 400m final as well at the...

Africa

Burkina Faso toasted its maiden World Championships medal as Hugues Fabrice Zango leaped 17.66m for a historic bronze in the men's Triple Jump, improving...

Features and Reports

African athletes will once again file out in a contest for pride and honours at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Click to access the login or register cheese