Ethiopian · Addis Ababa, Ethiopia · Born 23 June 1994Ethiopian marathon world record holder whose stunning Berlin performance in 2023 smashed the women's world record by over two minutes, signalling a transformational talent in the women's marathon.
Tigst Assefa is an Ethiopian marathon runner who set a world record of 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon while wearing Nike's most advanced prototype shoe. Her dominance on the Berlin course, where conditions are typically fast, and her exceptional physical gifts have made her one of women's marathon running's most exciting figures. Her rapid improvement and record-breaking have positioned her as one of the sport's leading performers.
Marathon world record holder
How They Played
Explosive finishing kick, tactical racing approach
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized women's marathon with dramatic time improvements
Ethiopian Athletes