Berihu Aregawi at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst
Berihu Aregawi, the second-fastest man in history over 10km, will be among Ethiopia’s leading hopes for a gold medal at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 on 30 March.
Aregawi is from Atsbi Womberta, a small town in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. He started doing sports seriously at the age of 1, but his talent was quickly identified.
He made his international debut in 2018, taking 3000m gold at the African U18 Championships , then earning bronze over 10,000m at the World U20 Championships in Tampere, finishing behind Rhonex Kipruto and Jacob Kiplimo.
Aregawi had a quiet but successful season in 2019, winning the Great Ethiopian Run in 28:23 – just a few seconds shy of the course record – and adding his name to an illustrious list of past winners that includes the likes of global champions Selemon Barega, Hagos Gebrhiwet and Tamirat Tola.
In 2021, his first year as a senior, Aregawi placed fourth in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics. He ended his track season on a high by winning the 5000m at the Diamond League Final in Zurich. He then went on to break the world 5km record on the roads with 12:49 in Barcelona on 31 December.
On the track, Aregawi is yet to finish higher than fourth at a senior global championships; he placed seventh over 10,000m at the 2022 World Championships, then finished fourth over 10,000m and eighth over 5000m at the 2023 edition in Budapest.
But at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Aregawi took his first senior global medal, taking silver in the senior men’s race. He now hopes to add to his medal tally when he competes at this year’s edition in Belgrade.
Of your successes so far, which has meant the most to you? And which was the most difficult?
“All of my races have been very interesting, useful, valuable and important. I’ve competed once at the World Cross Country and four times at the National Cross Country, and each time I performed well. I won a silver medal at the World Cross, and earned three gold medals and one bronze at the National Cross Country.”
How was your experience at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships?
The course was difficult, but in the end I won the silver medal and I was really happy about that. I worked hard because I knew there would be strong athletes, but with good work and training, I knew I could win a medal, which I did.
How has your 2024 season started and how have you prepared for it?
“The 2024 season started with strong motivation to achieve better results than before. I am preparing and improving my condition by training in Addis Ababa, following the instructions of my coach, Iirefu Birhanu.”
What’s your recipe for success?
“The best recipe is to be in good shape and have a good diet: rice, pasta, eggs and meat. And, of course, to train hard.”
What are your main goals for 2024?
“My biggest goals for the 2024 season are to compete at the World Cross Country Championships and at the Olympic Games, where I am aiming for gold medals. I believe I can achieve them.”
What are your expectations at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade?
“I expect to achieve a good result and finish the race on the podium. I am coming to Belgrade to do my best.”
