Yemaneberhan Crippa, an athletics marvel hailing from Ethiopia who has chosen to represent Italy globally, is a testament to the transformative power of sports. Born on October 15, 1996, in Tigray, Ethiopia, Crippa was adopted by an Italian family at the tender age of 13, where his journey of defying odds began.Â
Crippa’s athletic prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. He made a name for himself on the international stage by securing a bronze medal in the 5000m race at the 2018 European Athletics Championships. His 2019 season was equally impressive, with him capturing the Italian National Championships title in the 10,000m event and setting a national record.Â
His personal best in the 5000m, clocked at 13:02.26 in Monaco 2020, is a testament to his enduring resilience. This time placed him as the second fastest Italian ever in the event, only behind the legendary Salvatore Antibo. In the 10,000m, his best time of 27:10.76 makes him the fastest Italian in history, surpassing the previous record held by Antibo for three decades.
Crippa's journey has not been without setbacks. His performance at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha fell short of his usual standard. However, this only fueled his determination to excel, as demonstrated by his return to form in the subsequent European Cross Country Championships, where he secured a silver medal.
Behind these remarkable achievements, Crippa carries a heartwarming and amusing story. Despite being a star athlete, he has never lost his humility. During an interview, he shared a funny anecdote saying, ""I was so excited about my first national record that I ran all the way home. My family was surprised and amused to see me panting at the doorstep instead of taking the car back!"" This anecdote embodies the spirit of Crippa - always running, always striving.
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