Israeli athlete Maru Teferi won the silver medal this morning in the World Championships marathon with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 12 seconds. Just seconds before the finish line, he managed to surpass the Ethiopian athlete Lol Givarsilassi, who finished with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds. The first place was secured by the Ugandan runner Victor Kiplangat, who recorded a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 53 seconds.
It should be noted that Maru Teferi's silver medal achievement this morning is a historic milestone for Israeli sports. Just a year ago, at the World Championships held in Oregon, Israeli athlete Lona Chemtai Salpeter won a bronze medal. In total, Israel has won around five medals in athletics throughout its history. In 1999, Alex Averbukh secured third place in the pole vault competition, followed by a second-place finish in 2001. In 2015, sportswoman Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko set an Israeli record in the triple jump (14.78 meters) and won the silver medal.
Teferi: "I'm excited to represent the State of Israel"
At the end of the race, new vice world champion Teferi shared, "I am so excited and happy to represent my country on this grand stage, to bring honor to my nation and family. We were six athletes and we believed that we could achieve something; the plan was to make it to the top 10." Regarding preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games next year in Paris, he added, "I need to work hard and stay focused."
President Isaac Herzog congratulated the medalist: "Israel is very proud of you, rise and succeed, an extraordinary achievement." Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar also joined in congratulating the achievement: "Congratulations to Maru Teferi on winning the silver medal at the World Championship in the marathon. We continue to excel in the global sports arena and putting Israel on the map!"
Yesterday (Saturday), Luna Chemtai Salpeter finished the women's marathon in fourth place, an honorable achievement, with a time of 2:25:38. The Israeli team closes the games with one medal.