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Who is Feyisa Lilesa?
Feyisa Lilesa is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who belongs to the Oromo ethnic group. Feyisa Lilesa is most known for finishing the men’s marathon in 2010 with a timing of 2:05:23 at the Rotterdam Marathon.
Furthermore, he became the youngest guy to run sub 2:06 at this race.
Nonetheless, Feyisa Lilesa rose to popularity after finishing second in the 2012 Chicago Marathon with a personal best time of 2:04:52.
Feyisa Lilesa, a winner of the men’s marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics, celebrates after crossing the finish line.
Feyisa Lilesa, an Ethiopian native, was born in 1990. Furthermore, there is little information regarding his father and mother.
Furthermore, it appears that Feyisa prefers to focus on his game rather than on public attention and popularity.
Feyisa Lilesa | Earnings and Salary
Feyisa Lilesa is the pride of Ethiopia who has flown his country’s flag with multiple main event triumphs.
However, as of 2021, Fyisa Lilesa’s income remains unknown.
He does, however, make a good living from his salary and prize money.
Nonetheless, in 2017, he won the Bogota Half Marathon.
He has clearly grabbed the $110,000 prize money by winning the tournament.
Similarly, Feyisa won another half marathon the following year, the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, for which he got $215,000.
Not to note, Feylsa Lilesa created Olympic history by finishing second in Rio in 2016.
Furthermore, he collected $1,471,315 in prize money during that time.
Prize Money and Early Income
Felsa Lilesa, an Ethiopian marathon runner, has won five competitions so far.
Clearly, he has amassed considerable riches and renown over his professional career.
Furthermore, Felsa Lilesa’s first triumph came in the Dublin marathon.
He was awarded $50,000, plus many thousand dollars in additional reward money.
In fact, Feyisa, a well-known marathon runner, won the Xiamen International Marathon in China.
However, after winning the race, he was only awarded $25,000 rather than the full $40,000 prize money because his finishing time did not meet the minimum.
Nonetheless, after a long wait, he eventually raised the winning flag in the Tokyo marathon in 2016.
Furthermore, the overall winning reward for the Tokyo marathon was $1,084,000, including a prize pool of $352,000.
Furthermore, the $732,000 total includes time incentives with a possible payout of $460,000.
As a result, winning the Tokyo marathon has netted him approximately $500,000 in prize money.
Marriage, Family, and Kids
Feyisa Lilesa, a world-renowned marathon runner, married in 2021.
If Mulisa, his long-term girlfriend, is his wife.
Unfortunately, Mulisa, Lilesa’s wife, is not socially active, thus the facts and personal details are unknown.
Furthermore, Feyisa has not revealed anything about his marital life thus far.
He appears to prefer to keep his family out of the spotlight.
Nonetheless, the adorable couple Feyisa Lilesa and If Mulisa married in Ethiopia in 2012.
Likewise, the couple’s long marriage has resulted in three gorgeous children.
Soko Lilesa, Feyisa’s eldest daughter, is now six years old.
In addition, the couple has a son named Sora Lilesa.
Feyisa Lilesa’s Tragic Story
Ethiopian governments resolved to reallocate territory in the Oromo and Amhara regions in 2016.
Despite the protests of the locals, the authorities continued with their agenda rather than exercising control.
In reality, Human Rights Watch estimates security forces have slain more than 400 Oromo demonstrators, a statistic the government rejects.
Similarly, Feyisa Lilesa was keeping an eye on Oromo Ethiopians who had been exposed to brutal police agitation.
Nonetheless, after he finished the marathon, he crossed his hands over his chest to show his solidarity with the victims.
Lilesa did not return to his native area because he was afraid of being assassinated following the event.
Instead, he sought asylum in Arizona, USA.
Following that, Ethiopia’s new leader, Abiy Ahmed, encouraged him to come home to his nation in October 2018, so ending his two-year exile.
Feyisa Lilesa | Professional Profile
In terms of his professional career, Feyisa Lilesa’s first major competition was the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
Furthermore, his 14th place in the juvenile division during the game enabled Ethiopia to earn silver medals.
In addition, he began competing in international tournaments in 2008.
Feyisa clearly competed in the first World 10K Bangalore competition in May, finishing sixth.
International Championships and Records
The next year, Feyisa made his senior debut at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where he earned silver for the top team.
Notably, In January 2010, Feyisa Lilesa dramatically improved on the Xiamen International Marathon.
During the game, Feyisa beat Samuel Muturi Mugo’s record and won his first major marathon.
Book by Feyisa Lilesa
Dr. Stephany Evans Steggall wrote the book ‘A Time To Born: The Feyisa Lilesa Story,’ which details Feyisa’s struggle and life.
This is an enraging story that gives readers a broad glimpse of a well-known East African runner.
It appears to be a life tale book of Feyisa, an Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group.
The concept of a birth time is a deeply held cosmological belief among the Oromo.
Furthermore, while he relates his narrative, Feyisa wonders if he was born at the appropriate time.
Also, read Maia Shibutani, Jasper Cillessen, Nicole Johnson
Significant Achievement
- World Championship marathon bronze medalist in 2011.
- Olympic silver medalist in Rio de Janeiro (2016).
- IAAF World Cross Country Championship silver medalist (2009).