[Photos] Ethiopia's Ayana bags Africa's first Olympic gold, twitter reacts

Ethiopia

It took only 13 seconds to make a difference. A difference that beat a 23 year old record. Words have been falling over each other in a bid to ‘best’ appreciate the effort of Almaz Ayana.

On day 1 of the track and field events at the ongoing Rio Olympics, the Ethiopian runner won the continent’s first gold but more importantly did it in record fashion.

Twitter reactions show an interesting verb use for her feat, there is a departure from the traditional ‘breaks world record,’ as other words were used.

‘‘Smashes’‘ was by far the most used word to hail how Ayana’s time of 29 minutes 17.45 seconds had beaten the previous mark of 29:31.78 held by China’s Wang Junxia, a record set in 1993.

Beside ‘‘smashes,’‘ shatters, obliterates, eclipses, destroys and blitzes all made the list as media outlets and individuals thronged Twitter to celebrate Ayana and Africa for that matter.

Ethiopia’s minister of foreign affairs led the Twitter celebrations:

Congratulations to Almaz Ayana and #Ethiopia for breaking the 10,000 meters world record and winning #gold at… https://t.co/HZtu4Eh8nB
— Tedros Adhanom (@DrTedros) August 12, 2016

Kenya’s President Unhuru Kenyatta wouldn’t be left out despite Kenya getting the silver medal through Vivian Cheruiyot

Well run Almaz Ayana of #ETH . Truly deserved World record. #ShangiliaKenya #OlympicGames #Athletics
— President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) August 12, 2016

She didn't just break WORLD record, SHE Destroyed it!!! #Ethiopia Almaz Ayana wins #GOLD #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/fm27FEuF7B
— Ethiopia_Feben Wolde (@febewolde) August 12, 2016

Proud moments indeed. https://t.co/MKx3yywOna
— H.E. Erastus Mwencha (@Erastus_Mwencha) August 12, 2016

#ETH's Almaz Ayana won Africa's first #gold medal in the women's 10 000m in a world record time of 29:17.45#Rio2016 https://t.co/MIK7MFqIWM
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) August 12, 2016

WHAT A RUN! Almaz Ayana 29:17.45 10,000m WORLD RECORD!!! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gkPqHQ8nJY
— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) August 12, 2016

Almaz Ayana CRUSHES the world record running a 29:17.45 for Olympic gold! #Rio2016 -> https://t.co/jHwsVjiOdA pic.twitter.com/JrQhEqoT4l
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 12, 2016