Assefa Mezgebu Explained

Assefa Mezgebu (born June 19, 1978 in Sidamo) is a retired Ethiopian long-distance runner, best known for winning a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres event at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was also the runner-up at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics, following a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics. He also competed in cross-country running and reached the podium at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1998 and 2000.

Assefa Mezgebu is the younger brother of Ayele Mezgebu.

International competitions

Representing
1995	World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	14th	10,000 m	27:56.06
1996	World Junior Championships	Sydney, Australia	bgcolor=gold	1st	5000m	13:35.30
			bgcolor=gold	1st	10,000m	28:27.78
1997		Athens, Greece	5th	10,000 m	27:32.48
1998	World Cross Country Championships	Marrakech, Morocco	3rd	Long race (12 km)	34:28
1999		Sevilla, Spain	3rd	10,000 m	27:59.15
		Johannesburg, South Africa	1st	10,000 m	28:12.15
2000	World Cross Country Championships	Vilamoura, Portugal	2nd	Long race (12.3 km)	35:01
	Summer Olympics	Sydney, Australia	3rd	10,000 m	27:19.75
2001		Edmonton, Canada	2nd	10,000 m	27:53.97

Personal bests

• 3,000 metres - 7:28.45 min (1998)
• 5,000 metres - 12:53.84 min (1998)
• 10,000 metres - 26:49.90 min (2002)