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Aselefech Mergia Medessa- Ethiopia’s Track Princess and her Mega Moves.

Our dreams will come true, and our goals will be achieved if we have the courage and passion to pursue them.

Aselefech has proved this point extensively. Her decision to be the best anyone can be on track propels her to give more than any average athlete. And the results?………………….endless.

Aselefech Mergia Medessa
Source: gulfnews.com

The track star remains at the peak of her game. For Aselefech, each day on the track is not only unique but also an opportunity to draw closer to her dream.  She is celebrated as a two-time winner of the Dubai Marathon and has finished in the top three at the Paris and London Marathons. She has a personal best of 2:19:31 hours; which was a former Ethiopian record for the distance and places her within the top ten of all-time.

Aselefech’s marathon debut was in April 2009 at the Paris Marathon, where she ran 2:25:02 for second place. The following month saw her atop the podium at the World 10k Bangalore, just holding off a charge from Mary Keitany to win the race in 32:08.

Again at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics- Women’s Marathon, she won a bronze medal recording a time of 2:25:32.

Aselefech is one resilient fellow who never grows weary in the fight for her dream. She manages to hold her head high even in the most difficult times.

Aselefech Mergia Medessa
Source: www.thenational.ae

The power lady started as a professional road runner in 2006, at the Delhi Half Marathon, where she finished seventh. Though an interesting move for a beginner, Aselefech saw it as a challenge and worked even harder.

The following year made it all the more interesting when the shining star won the Plymouth Half Marathon, finishing with a time of 1:14:50. At the women’s 10k race in Glasgow, Scotland, she took another amazing shot, finishing second behind the power athlete Vivian Cheruiyot.  But she succeeded in setting a personal best of 32:19 for the distance.

At the 2011 Dubai Marathon, Aselefech came close to her personal best, taking her first victory over the distance on her fourth attempt. She narrowly missed the course record mark, but gained the US$250,000 first place prize which earned her a coveted position at the Ethiopian marathon team for the 2011 World Championships.

In October 2011, she hit the tracks at the Great South Run and easily saw off a challenge from Doris Changeywo to win the 10-mile race.

In January 2012, Aselefech defended her women’s Dubai Marathon title in style by breaking the course record and winning $250,000 in prize money for the second year in a row. She became the seventh fastest woman ever over the distance.

Aselefech Mergia Medessa
Source: www.kondis.no

Elated, she says, “This is a special place for me and it was a special day. I broke not only the course record but the Ethiopian record too. I’m now the best Ethiopian and with this time I hope to be selected for the Olympic Games.”

Keep up the good work Aselefech, better days await you.

Lovelyn Okafor
Lovelyn Okafor
Lovelyn Okafor is a Journalist/Writer, Poet, Lawyer and God-Lover. She enjoys a good read and sees everyday as an opportunity to live and enjoy her calling whilst working towards perfecting it. She believes that someday soon, Africa will reach her full potential as the light-bearer of the world. You can find her on Twitter: @lovelyn_o

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