Who is Tigist Assefa, the new marathon world record holder?

Aged 28 and Ethiopian, Tigist Assefa is now the woman to beat over the marathon distance. She has been the talk of the sport since her win and record in the British capital on Sunday. Who is she? Sport News Africa takes a closer look at the Addis Ababa native.

Read also: London Marathon: world record for Tigist Assefa

From the athletics track to road racing

Tigist Assefa did not start her career in road racing. She was an 800m specialist and a bronze medallist at the African Junior Championships in 2013, in Bambous, Mauritius. She also took part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she went out in the heats. After those Games, everything changed.

Assefa took a two-year break to treat a persistent Achilles tendon problem. On her return to competition, she made a radical decision. The Addis Ababa native left the track for road racing.

2024 Olympic silver medallist, and the regrets

Tigist Assefa came close to causing a major upset in her first Olympic marathon. The Ethiopian, who finished second at the 2024 Games in Paris, was beaten by just three seconds by Sifan Hassan, the Ethiopian-born athlete who has become a Dutch citizen. In the end she came home with only the silver medal. A big disappointment.

An impressive record, with several records to her name

The Ethiopian is among the athletes who matter in the marathon. Since opting for this discipline, she has produced convincing results, sometimes with records to go with them.

Tigist Assefa is a two-time winner of the Berlin Marathon, in 2022 (2 h 15 min 37 s) and in 2023 (2 h 11 min 53 s). Recently, she won the London Marathon in 2 h 15 min 50 s, setting a women's world record in a women-only race along the way. It is a record that will be remembered. Several runners were on the start line and nearly 56,000 crossed the finish line after the 42.195 kilometres of the course. That is also a record for a marathon.

“It was an extraordinary day, full of records. People came together and supported one another in this pursuit which, on the surface, is about running 42.2 kilometres, but which in reality is much more a celebration of humanity,” said Hugh Brasher, the race director.

Earlier in her career, over 800m, Assefa finished 3rd at the African Junior Championships in 2013 and 2nd in the 4 x 400m relay at the same event.

Aged 28, Tigist Assefa has the physique and the talent to go even higher.