Lemecha Girma primed for glory at Budapest 2023

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian long and middle-distance runner and 3000m steeplechase world record holder Lemecha Girma is tipped to shine at the upcoming World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

The 19th World Athletics Championships will be held from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary at the new National Athletics Centre on the bank of the Danube River.

The 24-year old Lamecha Girma is well known for his prowess in the 3000 metres steeplechase. In February 2023, Lemecha broke Daniel Komen’s long-standing world indoor record in the men’s 3000 in Lievin, France, clocking 7:23.81 after a great head-to-head clash against world 1500m bronze medalist Mohamed Katir from Spain.

He also set a new world record in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 7:52.11 at the meeting de Paris meeting on June 9, 2023, the fourth meeting of the 2023 Diamond League series.

Lemecha has one Olympic and two world silver medals to his name at the 3000m steeplechase.

The world record holder is now the main favorite for the 2023 World Athletics Championship. Together with his national teammates, Lemecha has been preparing in Addis Ababa for the upcoming global event in Hungary. The Ethiopian athletics team for Budapest 2023 is expected to travel to the Hungarian capital on Monday 14 August.

As it has been a tradition in the past few decades, Ethiopia is expected to top the charts in Budapest and hopes to win the first-ever GOLD medal in men’s 3000m steeplechase in the history of the World Athletics championship through Lemecha Girma and co.

Lemecha is expected to face tough opposition from the defending champion, Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and the trio of Kenyans – Simon Koech, Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Bett.