By Elias Makori, Managing Editor
Tigist Assefa’s grueling seven-month race to recovery is officially underway. Just 48 hours after a historic, pain-defying victory, the Ethiopian marathon superstar underwent emergency surgery on a completely ruptured Achilles tendon on Monday, with her manager, Gianni Demadonna, confirming she now faces up to seven months on the sidelines.
It was a high-stakes, mid-air rescue orchestrated by sports apparel royalty. Moments after she crossed the finish line just past the iconic Brandenburg gate, Adidas executives moved with military precision, deploying a private jet to urgently evacuate the limping champion from Berlin to Munich.
The desperate airlift ensured Assefa bypassed standard transit delays, delivering her straight into the hands of specialized orthopedic surgeons at the Murnau Trauma Centre less than 24 hours after her historic victory under lead medic, Dr. Johannes Gabel.
Behind the triumphant smiles on the Berlin podium lies a shocking tale of pure, stoic grit that has stunned the athletics world.
Ethiopian marathon star Tigist Assefa with her long-time Ethiopian coach, Gemedu Dedefo (left) and Italian manager Gianni Demadonna after her surgery at the Murnau Trauma Centre near Munich. (Photo / Demadonna Promotions)
Driven By Pure Instinct
According to her long-time coach, Gemedu Dedefo — a sports science graduate from Kotebe Metropolitan University whose elite stable has accumulated over 24 global major marathon victories — Assefa’s right Achilles tendon began firing warning signs 11 kilometres from the finish line. Driven by pure instinct, she blockaded the agonizing pain to maintain a blistering world-record pace. The ultimate disaster struck at the 40-kilometre mark when the tendon completely ruptured, effectively snapping her physical lifeline.
Unbelievably, Assefa refused to stop, braving the catastrophic, bone-deep agony for two final kilometres to shatter the course record in 2:11:04.
Coach Gemedu thanked her sportswear sponsors Adidas for evacuating Assefa and also narrated how the former world record holder braved excruciating pain, completing the race stoically. “We would like to inform everyone that Tigist Assefa successfully underwent surgery yesterday morning following her injury during the marathon,” coach Gemedu said in a statement published on social platforms.
“She first experienced pain in her Achilles tendon at the 31km point. Despite the pain, she continued to give her best. At around 40km, she suffered a severe injury, resulting in a complete rupture of her right Achilles tendon. Despite this serious injury, she bravely continued for another 2km to reach the finish line, running at a world-record pace of approximately 2:09:39.”
Ethiopian marathon star Tigist Assefa is aided by Ethiopian marathon legend Haile Gebrselassie and a race official after crossing the finish line on Sunday to win the BMW Berlin Marathon, enduring a ruptured tendon. (Photo / BMW Berlin Marathon / Victah Sailer)
Heartfelt Gratitude
Coach Gemedu expressed gratitude to Adidas for their quick response and global supporters for their messages of goodwill: “After the race, Adidas immediately arranged a private jet to ensure she received urgent medical care. Yesterday, she underwent surgery, and we sincerely hope for her speedy recovery and a successful return to training and competition.
“On behalf of our team, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Adidas family, people around the world, her family, colleagues, teammates, physiotherapists, medical team and everyone who has supported and encouraged her during this difficult time. Tigist is a champion, and we believe in her strength, courage and determination. We look forward to seeing her recover and return to the track and roads,” the coach said.
“Thank you all once again for your love, care, support and prayers. Your kindness means so much to Tigist and all of us. We wish Tigist a smooth recovery and a strong comeback.”
Tigist Assefa is OK and will leave hospital on Thursday for rehabilitation in Munich, her Italian manager Gianni Demadonna (right) confirmed. (Photo / Demadonna Promotions)
Besides Olympic silver medallist Assefa, Coach Gemedu has handled other top Ethiopian athletes, including Paris Olympics men’s gold medalist and 2022 World Champion Tamirat Tola, world half marathon record holder and second fastest marathoner of all time, Yomif Kejelcha, 2023 World Marathon Champion Amane Beriso alongside other stars like Sisay Lemma, Aberu Kebede, and Asselefech Mergia.
His athletes have accumulated over 24 victories across the major global marathons in Berlin, London, Boston, Tokyo, New York, and Chicago.
Fixing a torn Achilles tendon. (Image / Amicus Visual Solutions / southfloridasportsmedicine.com)
Long Comeback
Speaking to Pura Vida Sports Africa on Tuesday afternoon, Demadonna confirmed that Assefa faces a long comeback that could take up to seven months. “She is OK… long time to recovery and competition… maybe six or seven months if rehabilitation goes well,” Demadonna, himself a former marathoner, said, adding that she will be out of hospital on Thursday remaining in Germany for rehabilitation before returning to her home in Addis Ababa.
“She will leave hospital next Thursday and will stay in Munich for rehabilitation,” Demadonna confirmed. (elias.makori@ymail.com)
