Ibrahim Jeilan

Who is Ibrahim Jeilan?

Ibrahim Jeilan Gashu is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specialises in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres on the track, as well as cross country running. He is a former world champion in 10,000 metres.

After winning silver at the 2005 World Youth Championships, he rose to prominence in 2006 by winning the Ethiopian 10,000 m title and a gold at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics. He then ran a world youth best of 27:02.81 over 10,000 m – also the second best ever run by a junior after Samuel Wanjiru.

After an underwhelming 2007 season he scored greater success in 2008, becoming the 2008 World Junior Cross Country Champion and then taking the 10,000 m silver at the African Championships. He also won the long-running Giro di Castelbuono road race in Italy. He failed to continue this form the following year and ran only a handful of major races, including the Beach to Beacon 10K.

He is currently based on Saitama, Japan and coached by Kiyoshi Akimoto.