Werkwuha Getachew (born 7 December 1995) is an Ethiopian athlete who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. She won the silver medal in the event at the 2022 World Championships and a gold at the 2022 African Championships.

Werkuha Getachew
Personal information
NationalityEthiopian
Born (1995-12-07) 7 December 1995 (age 29)
Sport
CountryEthiopia
SportAthletics
Event(s)3000 m steeplechase, Middle-distance running
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Ethiopia
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Eugene 3000 m st.
Diamond League
First place 2022 3000 m st.
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Saint Pierre 3000 m st.

Getachew is the Ethiopian record holder for the 800 metres and 3000 m steeplechase. As of September 2022, she placed fourth at the latter event on the world all-time list. She was at her specialist event 2022 Diamond League champion.

In June 2021 at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Stadium in Hengelo at the Ethiopian Olympic trial event, Werkwuha Getachew caused a sensation in the women's 800m as she lowered her 2:00.20 PB to a world lead of 1:56.67 and set a new national record.[1] She became the first woman in the world to break 1:57 in 2021 and secured her spot at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[2] Despite being named in official documentation and travelling to Tokyo, Getachew was pulled out the day of the women's 800m heats and did not participate.[3]

Achievements

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International competitions

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Representing   Ethiopia
Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
2022 African Championships Port Louis, Mauritius 1st 3000 m st. 9:36.81
World Championships Eugene, OR, United States 2nd 3000 m st. 8:54.61 NR

Personal bests

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Circuit wins and titles, National titles

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References

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  1. ^ "World 10,000m record falls again, this time to Letesenbet Gidey". 8 June 2021.
  2. ^ "2021 Ethiopian Olympic Trials: Gudaf Tsegay (14:13) & Getnet Wale (12:53) Among Six World-Leading Times as New Stars Emerge". LetsRun.com. 8 June 2021.
  3. ^ Ostlere, Lawrence (31 July 2021). "Major threat for 800m gold pulled from start line over Ethiopian dispute". The Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ^ "World Leaders by Ingebrigtsen & Korir Highlight 2022 Diamond League Final". LetsRun.com. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
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