Simbu, Gisemo lead Tanzania’s Marathon medal quest in Tokyo

TOKYO, JAPAN: TANZANIA’S marathon hopes at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, will rest on the shoulders of Alphonce Simbu and Josephat Gisemo, who are set to compete for medals today.

Tanzania qualified six athletes for the championships but sent only two, after others missed out due to various reasons.

Gabriel Geay did not travel to Tokyo as he is scheduled to participate in the Berlin Marathon in Germany on 25 September 2025.

Additionally, three female athletes Failuna Abdi Matanga, Jackline Sakilu and Magdalena Shauri were unable to attend after failing to complete the required genetic testing mandated by World Athletics.

Speaking via phone from Tokyo yesterday , Roghat John, head of Tanzania’s team delegation, said the athletes were in good condition.

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“They are currently resting and ready for tomorrow’s (today’s) race,” he confirmed.

Roghat, who is also president of the Tanzania Athletics Association (AT), told the ‘Daily News’ recently that Tokyo’s heat would not affect his athletes’ chances of winning medals.

Meanwhile, Simbu said two days ago that the team had prepared well and that he expected a highly competitive race featuring many of the world’s top marathon runners.

Simbu is one of only two Tanzanian athletes ever to have won medals at the World Athletics Championships, with Christopher Isegwe previously claiming a silver medal.