At the vibrant Paavo Nurmi Games held in Turku on June 17, three African athletes—Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma, Kenya’s Julius Yego, and Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani—delivered standout performances that underscored Africa’s growing dominance on the international track and field stage.
Girma Kicks Off Season with Personal Best in 1500m
Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma set the tone for African success by winning the men’s 1500m in a remarkable personal best time of 3:33.49.
Moreover, Girma’s tactical racing and strong finishing kick helped him edge out Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordas and Kenya’s Brian Komen, who finished second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite also posted a solid performance at the Paavo Nurmi Games, finishing fifth. Girma’s time marks a promising start to his season and signals his potential to challenge for major titles ahead.
Julius Yego Throws Season Best to Lead African Javelin Rankings
Javelin Star Julius Yego, World Record Holder
Kenya’s Julius Yego, the 2015 world champion in the javelin, showcased his enduring talent by claiming first place with a season-best throw of 83.08 meters.
This mark stands as the top African javelin performance so far this year, reaffirming Yego’s status as one of the continent’s premier field athletes. In addition, his victory in the Paavo Nurmi Games adds momentum to his campaign as he aims for further success this season.
Bouzayani Triumphs in Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Marwa Bouzayani
On the other hand, Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani continued Africa’s strong showing by winning the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:19.46. Her disciplined pacing and endurance enabled her to outpace a competitive field, solidifying her position as a leading steeplechaser on the continent.
African Athletes Make Their Mark Across Events
Beyond these headline victories, African athletes delivered impressive performances throughout the meet. Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga and Eritrea’s Saymon Tesfagiorgis finished closely behind the winner in the men’s 5000m.
While South African sprinters Benjamin Azamati and Benjamin Richardson placed third and fifth, respectively, in the men’s 100m. On the women’s side, Morocco’s Assia Raziki and South Africa’s Charne Swart also posted strong finishes in the 800m race.
The Paavo Nurmi Games, set in the recently upgraded Turku Stadium, attracted over 250 athletes and thousands of spectators, creating an electric atmosphere for world-class competition.
The event continues to serve as a key platform for African athletes to showcase their talent and build momentum on the global athletics circuit.
With these victories, Girma, Yego, and Bouzayani have not only brought pride to their nations but also reinforced Africa’s rising prominence in track and field ahead of the major championships this season.
