Ethiopian athlete Jemal Yimer, a prominent figure in international marathon events, has openly expressed his admiration for Kenya’s legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge. However, Kipchoge is not the sole source of inspiration for this 27-year-old father of two; Yimer also looks up to Ethiopian running icons Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie.
Yimer, whose athletic journey began over six years ago, credits these influential figures for his motivation. Reflecting on his idols, Yimer stated, “Sometimes it’s (Eliud) Kipchoge, Gebrselassie, or Kenenisa (Bekele) – we see the life histories of strong athletes, their races. That is the backbone of me; it’s motivation for me,” during an interview with World Athletics.
Yimer’s rise in the international running scene has been marked by significant achievements. He earned his first international vest with a fourth-place finish at the African Championships in 10,000m. Notably, he contributed to Ethiopia’s gold win at the World Cross Country Championships in Uganda and later clinched the fifth position in the 10,000m at the 2017 World Championships in London, clocking an impressive 26:56.11.
His determination and consistency became evident in subsequent years. Despite narrowly missing the podium at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia in 2018, Yimer made a triumphant return in 2022, setting an Ethiopian half marathon record of 58:33 in the same city.
In his pursuit of excellence, Yimer made strategic decisions, including changing coaches. He joined forces with Getamesay Molla, a renowned tactician who previously trained with Bekele. Molla, impressed by Yimer’s unwavering dedication, remarked, “Jemal is a very strong athlete, and he’s versatile. He’s tough, especially for races. He’s confident in himself.”
Yimer’s remarkable journey continued with notable performances in marathons. His debut in the Boston Marathon in 2021 saw him secure third place, and he improved his standing in subsequent races, finishing eighth in 2022 and claiming victory at the Los Angeles Marathon in 2023.
As 2023 draws to a close, Yimer has set his sights on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. With a determined spirit, he aspires to achieve fast times, conquer major marathons, and add world and Olympic medals to his name.
Anticipation builds as Yimer prepares to face off against other top athletes in the upcoming New York Marathon, showcasing his unwavering commitment to his sport and his ambition to reach greater heights in the world of marathon running.
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