Tanzanian Sportsman Makes History, Winning Country's First Global Marathon Title in Tokyo
Tanzanian Sportsman Makes History, Winning Country's First Global Marathon Title in Tokyo
In a thrilling finish, Alphonce Felix Simbu claimed the men's marathon gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, securing victory in a time of 2:09:48.
The Tanzanian runner, who previously earned a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, edged out Germany's Amanol Petros by a razor-thin margin of 0.03 seconds, the smallest winning margin ever recorded in a global marathon.
"Today means celebrations in Tanzania," Simbu told reporters. "We have written new history as a country. It was my dream. I am at peace. It is about discipline, training and never giving up."
Petros, who took the silver medal, expressed his surprise at Simbu's final sprint, calling it a valuable lesson: "He kicked like crazy."
Italy's Iliass Aouani secured the bronze medal.
A closely contested pack dominated the majority of the race, but Simbu's strategic training, adapted to the varying conditions of Tanzania, proved crucial in the race's final stages, according to him.
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