Swiss sportswear brand On has officially added Ethiopian middle-distance star Samuel Tefera to its growing roster of elite athletes.
The 24-year-old, who burst onto the global athletics scene in 2018 by claiming the 1500m World Indoor title at just 18 years old, made his competitive debut in On gear at the Doha Diamond League on May 16. In a fiercely contested 5000m race, Tefera finished fourth, clocking a respectable 13:18.63.
Born in Midakegn, a town in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, Tefera’s journey to the top ranks of world athletics began in the most unassuming of settings, a school competition. As a grade eight student, he shocked older and more experienced competitors to finish second in a local race, sparking a passion that would soon become a career. From there, his rise was swift, regional victories, club signings, and eventually a spot on Ethiopia’s national team.
At just 17, Tefera earned his first taste of major international competition at the 2017 World Championships in London. While he exited in the heats, it was clear he was a talent to watch. The following year, he proved it by capturing gold at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, clocking 3:58.19 in the 1500m final.
Tefera cemented his status as one of the world’s finest middle-distance runners in 2019 when he shattered the long-standing indoor 1500m world record, stopping the clock at 3:31.04, a mark that Jakob Ingebrigtsen surpassed three years later.
Although injury setbacks saw him fall short of his ambitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tefera bounced back in style. At the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, he defended his 1500m title and set a new championship record of 3:32.77.
“On’s commitment to performance and their unique approach resonate deeply with my own aspirations on the track. I’m excited to chase records together and see how we’ll partner to shape the future of running and footwear,” said Tefera.
Niklas Buehner, Athlete Manager at On, shared the brand’s excitement at securing Tefera’s signature.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Samuel to the On family. Having already demonstrated he’s an exceptionally talented runner, we’re eager to support him in his next chapter. We can’t wait to witness what his unwavering dedication, alongside On’s innovative spirit, will achieve in the years to come.”
As Tefera embarks on this new partnership, the athletics world will be watching closely to see what more this gifted Ethiopian can achieve, now in On colors.
