19 Year-old Ethiopian Runner Sets New World Record in Birmingham

19 Year-old Ethiopian teenager Samuel Tefera, has smashed a 22 year-old record set by Moroccan middle-distance great Hicham El-Guerrouj when he raced across the line in Birmingham to break the world indoor record over 1,500m.

The record which dates back to 1997 when Moroccan middle-distance great Hicham El-Guerrouj ran the distance of 3:31.18, set in Stuttgart, was never on the kid’s mind to break as according to him,he did not even originally plan to partake in the event let alone break the record.

‘‘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 told the BBC.

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.

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