Who are the most popular athletes hailing from Ethiopia?
From the running tracks to the soccer fields, which Ethiopian stars have made their mark in the world of sports?
Discover the most popular athletes from Ethiopia and explore how they’ve impacted their respective sports on a global scale.
Also check out our post about the most popular soccer players from the Ethiopia.
Most popular athletes from Ethiopia:
- Haile Gebrselassie
- Kenenisa Bekele
- Tirunesh Dibaba
- Meseret Defar
- Almaz Ayana
- Tirunesh Dibaba
- Mare Dibaba
- Genzebe Dibaba
- Gelete Burka
- Yomif Kejelcha
- Ejegayehu Dibaba
- Bamlak Tessema Weyesa
- Aberu Kebede
Table of Contents
#1 Haile Gebrselassie
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1973
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 4 World Championship wins
Haile Gebrselassie is one of the greatest long-distance runners in history, dominating the sport throughout his career. His incredible achievements, world records, and remarkable consistency have inspired a generation of athletes and made him a national hero in Ethiopia.
Gebrselassie’s widespread influence has positively impacted not only the sport of running but also Ethiopia’s visibility on the global stage.
#2 Kenenisa Bekele
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1982
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals, 5 World Championship wins
Kenenisa Bekele is another legendary long-distance runner from Ethiopia. He has earned multiple Olympic gold medals and world championships, establishing himself as a formidable figure in the sport.
Bekele’s success has further solidified Ethiopia’s reputation as a hotbed for long-distance running talents and contributed to the country’s pride and international recognition.
#3 Tirunesh Dibaba
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1985
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals, 5 World Championship wins
Tirunesh Dibaba, dubbed the “Queen of Long Distance,” is one of the most successful female long-distance runners in history. Her impressive accolades include multiple Olympic gold medals and world championship wins.
Dibaba’s achievements have been instrumental in promoting the sport of long-distance running among women in Ethiopia and inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.
#4 Meseret Defar
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1983
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 5 World Championship wins
Meseret Defar is an accomplished female long-distance runner and another shining example of Ethiopia’s athletic prowess. With multiple Olympic gold medals and world championships under her belt, she has etched her name among the greats of the sport.
Defar’s success has undoubtedly played a crucial role in encouraging more Ethiopian women to take up long-distance running and pursue a career in athletics.
#5 Almaz Ayana
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1991
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Gold Medal, 2 World Championship wins
Almaz Ayana is a distinguished Ethiopian long-distance runner, best known for her world record-breaking performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She has also won multiple world championships, further cementing her status as a top athlete.
Ayana’s remarkable achievements have contributed to Ethiopia’s dominance in long-distance running and provided a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes in the country.
#6 Tirunesh Dibaba
- 🏆 Sport(s): Soccer
- 🎂 Born in: 1984
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2-time Ethiopian Premier League Champion
Getaneh Kebede is a talented soccer player who has represented Ethiopia at the national level. His skill and success in the country’s Premier League have made him a fan favorite and an important figure in Ethiopian soccer.
Kebede’s accomplishments have helped raise the profile of Ethiopian soccer and motivated many young athletes to pursue the sport in the country.
#7 Mare Dibaba
- 🏆 Sport(s): Marathon
- 🎂 Born in: 1989
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: World Championship win, Olympic Bronze Medal
Mare Dibaba is an accomplished marathon runner who has represented Ethiopia at the highest level. With a World Championship win and an Olympic Bronze Medal to her name, she is one of the most recognized athletes in Ethiopian long-distance running.
Dibaba’s success has added yet another layer to Ethiopia’s rich distance running legacy and serves as a source of inspiration for many.
#8 Genzebe Dibaba
- 🏆 Sport(s): Middle-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1991
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Silver Medal, 5 World Championship wins
Genzebe Dibaba, younger sister of Tirunesh Dibaba, is an exceptional middle-distance runner. She has earned multiple world championships as well as an Olympic Silver Medal, making her a force to be reckoned within the sport.
Genzebe’s achievements have further bolstered Ethiopia’s prominence in the field of athletics and encouraged the growth of middle-distance running in the country.
#9 Gelete Burka
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1986
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 1 World Championship win, multiple international medals
Gelete Burka is a versatile long-distance runner who has represented Ethiopia in various international competitions. With a World Championship win and numerous other medals, she has become a prominent figure in Ethiopian athletics.
Burka’s accomplishments have strengthened Ethiopia’s reputation in long-distance running and inspired many young athletes to pursue the sport.
#10 Yomif Kejelcha
- 🏆 Sport(s): Middle and long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1997
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 World Indoor Championship wins, 1 World Championship win
Yomif Kejelcha, a prodigious talent in middle and long-distance running, has already established himself as an elite athlete at a young age. With multiple championship wins, Kejelcha continues to carry the proud legacy of Ethiopian running.
His success story serves as an inspiration for many budding athletes in Ethiopia and symbolizes the bright future of the country’s athletics prowess.
#11 Ejegayehu Dibaba
- 🏆 Sport(s): Long-distance running
- 🎂 Born in: 1982
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Silver Medal, multiple international medals
Ejegayehu Dibaba, another sister of Tirunesh Dibaba, has made her mark in the world of long-distance running. With an Olympic Silver Medal and multiple international medals, she has contributed significantly to the Dibaba family’s exceptional sporting legacy.
Ejegayehu’s achievements have further showcased Ethiopia’s talent pool in long-distance running and inspired an entire generation of athletes.
#12 Bamlak Tessema Weyesa
- 🏆 Sport(s): Soccer (Referee)
- 🎂 Born in: 1980
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Officiating in FIFA World Cup and African Cup of Nations
Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, Ethiopia’s top international soccer referee, is a prominent figure in the world of soccer officiating. Known for his fair and consistent decision-making, he has been selected to officiate at the highest levels, including the FIFA World Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
Weyesa’s accomplishments have helped elevate the profile of Ethiopian soccer, demonstrating that the country’s talent extends beyond the field of play.
#13 Aberu Kebede
- 🏆 Sport(s): Marathon
- 🎂 Born in: 1989
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Multiple Marathon wins, including Berlin, Tokyo, and Frankfurt
Aberu Kebede is an accomplished marathon runner who has displayed remarkable performances in prestigious marathons around the world. Throughout her career, she has claimed multiple marathon victories, including Berlin, Tokyo, and Frankfurt.
Kebede’s success has further solidified Ethiopia’s stronghold in marathon running and encouraged more aspiring athletes to participate in the sport.
FAQ
Who is the greatest athlete in the history of Ethiopia?
Haile Gebrselassie, an Olympian and world champion, is Ethiopia’s greatest athlete.
Who is the most popular female athlete from Ethiopia?
Tirunesh Dibaba, an Olympic gold medalist, is the most popular female athlete from Ethiopia.
Which sport produces the most popular athletes from Ethiopia?
Distance running is the sport that produces the most popular athletes in Ethiopia.
Which athlete from Ethiopia is the most popular internationally?
Internationally, Haile Gebrselassie is the most recognized Ethiopian athlete.
