Ethiopia
Aged 19, Ethiopia’s Samuel Tefera raced across the line in Birmingham to break a world indoor record over 1,500m but he says he did not even originally plan to partake in the event let alone break the record.
The record is one that dates back to 1997 when Moroccan middle-distance great Hicham El-Guerrouj ran the distance of 3:31.18, set in Stuttgart.
He told the BBC: ‘‘Let alone breaking the world record. I had not planned to participate before,’’ but he relishes the moment, ‘‘I am very happy. Words can’t express my happiness.’’
He beat fellow country man Yomif Kejelcha, who Tefera said he expected to win the race having come close to the the mile world record last week.
Tefera overtook his compatriot with 200m to go and finished in three minutes 31.04 seconds.
‘‘I was expecting Yomif [to win] too,” Samuel said. Kejelcha, who was undefeated indoors this year, clocked 3:31.58.
Go to video
Guinness World Records: Nigerian woman attempts record by painting nails for three days
01:09
Ethiopia, Kenya dominate Madrid marathon
02:20
Moroccan city of Fez celebrates the Sufi culture
01:44
Agriculture fair opens in drought-hit Morocco with focus on sustainability
01:02
Pics of the day: April 25, 2024
01:50
Guinness World Record: Chess champion returns home to Lagos