Nanjing: Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu stormed to victory in the women’s 3000m race at the ongoing World Indoor Championships on Saturday 22, 2025, at the Nanjing Sports Training Centre in Nanjing, China. The 24-year-old rising star wrote her name in the history books as she became the first Ethiopian to win three medals in three different disciplines, which includes an 800m silver from 2022 and a 1500m gold two years later in Glasgow.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Freweyni also adds another title at World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, showcasing thrilling competition. She clocked a time of 8:37.21, a feat that underscores her talent and determination on the track. Freweyni’s first world indoor medal came in 2022 when she claimed 800m silver. She won 1500m gold in Glasgow two years later and now has a 3000m crown to add to her set.
This latest victory returns Ethiopia to winning ways in the discipline after USA’s Elle St. Pierre paused the nation’s winning streak in the event last year, with athletes from Ethiopia having won 10 of the last 12 titles on offer. Freweyni had already shown her intent by arriving to the WIC Nanjing 25 as the fastest woman in the world over the 3000m, having set a world lead and personal best of 8:19.98 in Lievin where she beat three-time global champion Gudaf Tsegay to move to third on the world indoor all-time list.
Competing at Nanjing’s Cube, she bided her time as the race took off, remaining behind the rest of the field while Olympic 1500m silver medallist Hull took the opposite position, making her way to the front of the pack. ‘To win this event, I prepared myself strongly, and I feel very happy that I won the race,’ said Freweyni. ‘I was sick at home just before coming to Nanjing, so I stayed at the back to conserve myself before making my push. I’m healthy now, and I came here to win.
‘Last year I won the 1500m, now I’ve won the 3000m, and I’m so happy about that. I tried my best, and God helped me with the rest. I don’t know how I will celebrate – my happiness is beyond me.’