Ethiopian Athlete shot by robberies Ahead of Under-20 World Championships in Peru
An Ethiopian athlete set to represent the nation in the upcoming World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Peru has been shot in a shocking incident.
The World Under-20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru, will begin in just a week.
Ethiopian athletes selected for this prestigious event have been intensifying their training in preparation for the competition.
One of these athletes, 17-year-old Sewmehon Tariku, was chosen by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation to compete in the championships.
However, tragedy struck on Sunday, August 11, 2024, when Sewmehon was attacked by an unknown assailant while out for an afternoon training session in a forested area.
According to Sewmehon, he was approached by a man who claimed to be a police officer.
The man questioned him about any involvement in local gambling activities, to which Sewmehon responded that he had no knowledge of such matters.
Moments later, the situation took a violent turn. The assailant, along with accomplices, assaulted Sewmehon, stole his mobile phone, and then fled the scene.
Tragically, the attack left the young athlete with a severe injury that has resulted in the loss of sight in one eye.
Sewmehon is currently receiving treatment at Addis Ababa’s Menelik II Hospital. His friends have reported that representatives from the Ethiopian Athletics Federation have visited him, assuring him that they will cover all medical expenses.
Authorities have been informed of the incident, and the police are actively searching for the perpetrators.
Despite Ethiopia’s renowned success in the world of athletics, the country faces significant challenges when it comes to providing proper training facilities.
Athletes often have to train in unsafe environments, making them vulnerable to various risks, including traffic accidents and criminal attacks.
The 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships, also known as the World Junior Championships, will be a major international event for athletes born on or after January 1, 2005.
The competition is set to take place in Lima, Peru, from August 27 to August 31, 2024.
Ethiopia, a dominant force in athletics, will undoubtedly be aiming to showcase its young talents on the global stage, despite the unfortunate incident involving Sewmehon Tariku.
Last week, Ethiopia celebrated its athletes and coaches who brought home medals from the Paris Olympics. At the 33rd Paris Olympic Games, Ethiopia secured a total of four medals: one gold and three silver, ranking 47th globally and 4th in Africa.
The celebration, attended by President Sahle-Work Zewde, featured a ceremony where athletes, coaches, and contributors were honored with cash prizes. The rewards ranged from 50,000 birr to 7 million birr, based on their achievements.
Tamrat Tola, who claimed Ethiopia’s sole gold medal in the marathon, was awarded 7 million birr (approximately $68,000) and received a gold Nishan medal. Meanwhile, silver medalists Tigist Asefa, Berihu Aregawi, and Tsige Duguma were each rewarded with 4 million birr (around $39,000).
However, the event took an unexpected turn when Gemedo Dedefo, the coach of Tamrat Tola and Tigist Asefa, made headlines by refusing to accept his 2 million birr reward.
