In one of the fiercest contests ever witnessed at the World Marathon Championships, Alphonce Simbu etched his name into history by becoming the first Tanzanian to win a gold medal at the global athletics event. The 33-year-old long-distance runner claimed the men’s marathon title in what turned out to be the narrowest winning margin in the history of the championships.
Simbu crossed the finish line just ahead of Germany’s Amanal Petros in a dramatic “photo finish.” Both runners were officially timed at 2:09:48, but Simbu was declared the winner by a razor-thin margin of just 0.03 seconds. Italy’s Iliass Aouani took bronze with a time of 2:09:53.
Simbu Speaks Out
“This is not just about making history – I’ve opened a new chapter for Tanzania,” said a jubilant Simbu after his landmark victory.
“I still remember winning bronze in London in 2017. Since then, I’ve tried many times without success. But today, I finally achieved what I’ve been chasing for years. When I arrived here, I told myself I could not give up. I stayed with the pack until the very end, and that strategy paid off. Just look at how I sprinted in those final meters.”
The triumph marks not only Simbu’s first world title but also Tanzania’s maiden gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.
Intense Rivalry
Germany’s Amanal Petros, who ran a spectacular race and even collapsed on the finish line draped in the tape, had to settle for silver.
“This felt like a 100-meter race,” Petros admitted afterward. “I thought I had it, and of course there’s a bit of sadness. But as athletes, we learn every day—you prepare for tomorrow, work harder, and appreciate the silver.”
Other Standouts
Italy’s Iliass Aouani impressed with a strong third-place finish, clocking 2:09:53, narrowly behind the leading duo.
Up until the 30-kilometer mark, a large group of contenders—including Uganda’s Abel Chelangat, America’s Clayton Young, and Britain’s Emile Cairess—remained tightly packed, separated by only seconds.
But the heat and humidity began to take their toll in the latter stages. Local favorite Ryota Kondo of Japan bravely hung on for much of the race but faltered at the 39-kilometer mark, eventually finishing 11th.
A Dramatic Finish
Fans erupted as the runners entered Japan’s National Stadium for the final stretch after enduring 42.195 kilometers in sweltering 27°C heat. In the last 10 meters, Simbu unleashed a blistering surge, edging past Petros in what will go down as the closest finish in World Championship marathon history.
A Golden Year for Simbu
The Tokyo triumph caps off a remarkable season for Simbu. Earlier in April, he finished second at the 2025 Boston Marathon, one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
With his 2017 bronze now complemented by this world title, Simbu joins the ranks of Africa’s marathon greats and stands as a beacon of inspiration for Tanzania’s next generation of athletes.
For years, Tanzanian athletics has lived under the shadow of East African powerhouses Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Simbu’s breakthrough has shattered that silence, opening a new era of hope. His success could spark greater investment from the government, sports federations, and private stakeholders in nurturing local talent.
Simbu has not only won gold—he has reignited a nation’s dreams.
