Beyenu Degefa Begna (also spelled Beyenu Degefu; born 12 July 1999) is an Ethiopian middle-distance runner. She is the 2016 World Junior Champion in the 3000 metres and her time still stands as the championship record in that event.

Beyenu Degefa
Personal information
Full nameBeyenu Degefa Begna[1]
NationalityEthiopian
Born (1999-07-12) 12 July 1999 (age 25)[2]
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)3000 metres, marathon
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • 3000m: 8:35.76 (2018)
  • MAR: 2:23:04 (2021)
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Ethiopia
World U20 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Bydgoszcz 3000 m

Biography

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In 2016, Degefa began winning a series of cross country races. At the Cross de l'Acier, she bested teammate Fantu Worku and Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai to win by four seconds.[3] The following year, Degefa won the Cinque Mulini race. She outkicked Kalkidan Fentie in the final stretch to win by four seconds again.[4][5]

Degefa's first and only global medal came in 2016 at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, where she won the 3000 metres in a championship record time of 8:41.76.[6]

In 2021, Degefa made her debut at the marathon distance at the Valencia Marathon, finishing 3rd in 2:23:01. Her position was later moved up to 2nd after race winner Nancy Jelagat was suspended for an anti-doping rules violation.[7]

Statistics

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Personal bests

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Event Mark Competition Venue Date
3000 metres 8:35.76 Doha Diamond League Doha, Qatar 4 May 2018
Marathon 2:23:04 Valencia Marathon Valencia, Spain 5 December 2021

References

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  1. ^ "30,000 marathon enthusiasts run in beautiful Dalian". Yahoo Finance. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  2. ^ Beyenu Degefa at Tilastopaja (registration required)
  3. ^ "World U20 champions Barega and Degefa win again on the road to Kampala – cross-country round-up | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Barega and Degefa upstage the seniors at Cinque Mulini | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Ethiopia's Barega and Degefa triumph at IAAF Cross Country Permit". www.insidethegames.biz. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. ^ Maduewesi, Christopher (20 July 2016). "Degefa storms to a CR in women's 3000m at World Juniors". MAKING OF CHAMPIONS. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Lawrence Cherono and Nancy Jelagat triumph at the Valencia Marathon". Watch Athletics. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
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