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Kalkidan GezahegneBahraini track and field athlete
Date of Birth: 08.05.1991
Country:  Bahrain |
Content:
- Kalkidan Gezahegne: From Ethiopian Roots to Bahraini Success
- Early Career and Accomplishments
- Injury and Return
- Change of Citizenship
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Kalkidan Gezahegne: From Ethiopian Roots to Bahraini Success
Kalkidan Gezahegne, a Bahraini track and field athlete, made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 10,000-meter race. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 8, 1991, she began her athletic career representing her home country before switching allegiance to Bahrain in 2013.
Early Career and Accomplishments
Growing up in Ethiopia, Gezahegne showcased her talent at a young age. She won a silver medal in the 1500-meter race at the 2008 World Junior Championships and followed it up with another silver at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships. At the senior level, she finished ninth in the 1500 meters at the 2009 World Championships and fifth in the 3000 meters at the 2009 World Athletics Final.
However, it was at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships that Gezahegne made a name for herself. In the midst of the 1500-meter race, she collided with Yevgeniya Zolotova and fell onto the track. Remarkably, she got up and continued the race, catching up with her opponents and finishing first with the fastest time of the day. In the final, she outpaced her compatriot and defending champion Gelete Burka, winning the gold medal. This made the 18-year-old the youngest ever IAAF World Indoor Championships winner, breaking the previous record set by Gabriela Szabo 15 years earlier.
Injury and Return
Unfortunately, an injury prevented Gezahegne from competing in the 2010 outdoor season. However, she made a strong comeback in 2013, setting personal bests in the 1500 meters (4:02.98 minutes), mile (4:37.76 minutes), and 3000 meters (8:38.61 minutes).
Change of Citizenship
In 2013, Gezahegne changed her nationality to Bahraini and began competing for her adopted country.
2020 Tokyo Olympics
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics proved to be Gezahegne's crowning moment. She finished second in the women's 10,000-meter final, claiming the silver medal behind Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.
