Tokyo, Japan
The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo have been a stage of both triumph and tantalizing near-misses for Team Ethiopia. With the iconic National Stadium as the backdrop, the nation’s legendary distance runners have already secured a place on the podium, collecting two silver and two bronze medals. Yet, a single, shining color is missing from the collection, and its pursuit has become the team’s defining narrative: the quest for gold.
A Haul of Hard-Fought Medals
The Ethiopian campaign has been powered by stellar performances that, while falling just short of the top step, exemplify world-class athleticism.
The hopes of a nation were carried on the shoulders of Tigst Assefa in the women’s marathon. In a dramatic and grueling race through the streets of Tokyo, Assefa pushed the pace, only to be outkicked in a heart-stopping sprint finish by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir. Her silver medal, earned with a time of 2:24:45, was a testament to her courage but left a lingering feeling of what might have been.
On the track, Yomif Kejelcha delivered a season-best performance (28:55.83) in the men’s 10,000m, a race that required both tactical savvy and raw speed. He battled fiercely but ultimately had to settle for silver, adding another prestigious medal to his collection while setting his sights on a higher goal for the future.
The bronze medals were won with equal parts talent and tenacity. Gudaf Tsegay, a superstar of the sport, fought through a stacked women’s 10,000m field to clock 30:39.65 and secure a podium finish.
Meanwhile, Sembo Almayew provided a breakthrough moment in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, shattering her personal best with a time of 8:58.86 to claim her first-ever world championship medal.
Golden Dreams Alive in Tokyo
Despite the lack of gold so far, the championship is far from over for Ethiopia, and the team is poised for more breakthroughs. All eyes are now on the remaining events where Ethiopian athletes are among the favorites.
The women’s 5000m presents the most promising opportunity. Gudaf Tsegay, fresh off her 10,000m bronze, has smoothly advanced to the final. Her combination of lethal finishing speed and immense strength makes her a formidable threat for the gold medal. She is not alone; teammates Medina Eisa and Fantaye Belayneh also qualified, suggesting a potent team strategy could be in play to challenge Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, the new 10,000m champion.
The men’s 5000m also holds promise, with a trio of Ethiopian entrants—Hagos Gebrhiwet, Kuma Girma, and Biniam Mehary—ready to take on a global field. The event is notoriously unpredictable, but Ethiopia’s deep tradition in the distance means they will undoubtedly be in the mix for the medals, with gold the ultimate target.
The Challenge Ahead
The path to the top of the podium is fraught with challenge. The World Championships are the ultimate test in athletics, and the competition has never been fiercer. Traditional rivals like Kenya and the United States have already claimed multiple gold medals, showcasing their own depth and talent.
Every race is a high-stakes battle of strategy, endurance, and will. For Ethiopia, turning silver and bronze into gold will require perfect execution, a touch of luck, and perhaps a legendary performance that will be remembered for years to come.
The Ethiopian team, supported by a proud history of distance running greatness, continues to strive with unwavering determination. The quest for gold is more than just a medal count; it is about fulfilling potential, honoring a legacy, and achieving a dream that has been within reach but remains just beyond grasp. For the athletes and a nation of passionate fans, the final chapters of this championship story are yet to be written. The pursuit continues.
