Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese has died at the age of 36 following a sudden accident. The athlete who represented Ethiopia in many international road races won several medals for her country.
Yebrgual Melese achieved notable success in her career. She won a bronze medal in the half marathon at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. In the same year she claimed a silver medal at the Chicago Marathon.
The runner also won the Paris half marathon twice and finished first in marathons held in Shanghai, Prague and Houston. She had planned to compete in the Ottawa Marathon in Canada to represent her country.
Born in 1982 in the Ethiopian calendar, she died on May 13 2026 at the age of 36 after a sudden accident at Jan Meda sports facility. Her funeral is scheduled for today at 6 p.m. at Menbere Tsebaot Kidiste Selassie Cathedral Church in Addis Ababa.