Eritrea's Ghebreslassie is World marathon champion
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie from Eritrea beat the scorching morning sun and a late chase by Ethiopia's Yemane Tsegay to win the men's marathon at the World Athletics Championships here on Saturday.
The 19-year-old clocked two hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds for his first world championship title, beating Tsegay into second place, reports Xinhua.
Tsegay, who had once overtaken Ghebreslassie in the last kilometers, timed 2:13.07 hours for silver with Munyo Solomon Mutai from Uganda taking bronze in 2:13:29 hours.
The world record holder, Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, dropped out late in the race.
'I can't explain what I am feeling, I am so happy, a lot of people keep asking me about the fact that I am so young, but it does not matter to me, I am so proud of this victory,' he said after the race.
Ghebreslassie disclosed that he didn't get much support from his family at the beginning of his career.
'My parents wanted me to be a college student, but I wanted to be a great athlete,' he said. 'And the beginning, my coach thought I was not a gifted boy, but I found my potential when I was 11. Today's victory will be a great surprise for them.'
Ghebreslassie is now looking to the Rio Olympic Games. 'Although I am very young, I hope I could have great performance in Rio. It is a dream place for everyone,' he said.
The 19-year-old clocked two hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds for his first world championship title, beating Tsegay into second place, reports Xinhua.
Tsegay, who had once overtaken Ghebreslassie in the last kilometers, timed 2:13.07 hours for silver with Munyo Solomon Mutai from Uganda taking bronze in 2:13:29 hours.
The world record holder, Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, dropped out late in the race.
'I can't explain what I am feeling, I am so happy, a lot of people keep asking me about the fact that I am so young, but it does not matter to me, I am so proud of this victory,' he said after the race.
Ghebreslassie disclosed that he didn't get much support from his family at the beginning of his career.
'My parents wanted me to be a college student, but I wanted to be a great athlete,' he said. 'And the beginning, my coach thought I was not a gifted boy, but I found my potential when I was 11. Today's victory will be a great surprise for them.'
Ghebreslassie is now looking to the Rio Olympic Games. 'Although I am very young, I hope I could have great performance in Rio. It is a dream place for everyone,' he said.
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