Azeddine Habz’s recent 1500m sprint in Paris was more than just a record-breaking run—it marked a defining moment in his journey from national talent to serious global medal contender.
By clocking an impressive 3:27.49, Habz shattered a French record that had stood unchallenged for 22 years, previously held by Mehdi Baala.
“It’s really a dream come true, on home soil, just five kilometres from the venue where I train year-round,” Azeddine Habz said, his excitement evident after the race.
Moreover, the emotional connection to Paris and the roaring support from the home crowd fueled his remarkable performance.
Azeddine Habz’s steady progression this season has been shaped by fierce competition, especially from Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the world’s dominant force in middle-distance running. Racing against Ingebrigtsen has pushed Habz to sharpen his tactics, build endurance, and elevate his mental toughness—key factors that contributed to his record-breaking run.
Breaking Baala’s long-standing record is a milestone that cements Azeddine Habz’s status as France’s premier middle-distance athlete. More importantly, it signals his readiness to challenge the world’s best for medals at the upcoming World Championships and Olympic Games.
Notably, His breakthrough reflects months of disciplined training, strategic racing, and growing confidence.
Who is Azeddine Habz?
Azeddine Habz
Azeddine Habz is a French middle- and long-distance runner born on July 19, 1993, in Morocco. He moved to France in 2012, gained French citizenship in 2018, and began representing France internationally.
Habz specialises in the 1500 metres, where he has won silver and bronze medals at the European Indoor Championships in 2023 and 2025. He broke the French 1500m record with a time of 3:29.26 in 2023, becoming the second Frenchman to run under 3:30.
Additionally, Habz also competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, reaching the 1500m semifinals. Known for his steady rise, he trains near Paris and aims for global medals.
With the Parisian crowd behind him and a fierce rivalry driving him forward, Azeddine Habz stands poised to transform French middle-distance running.
Meanwhile, as he moves from record breaker to medal contender, athletics fans worldwide will watch closely to see how far his talent and determination can take him on the global stage.
