Two and a quarter years after Eritrea’s most celebrated athlete, Zersenay Tadesse beat Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele at the 2007 World Cross country Championship in Mombasa, the two have not met to discuss their epic duel.Neither has the Eritrean, who believes supportive Kenyan crowds spurred him to victory, found an adequate explanation for Kenenisa’s spectacular capitulation.
The diminutive Eritrean, whose fame in his motherland has been equated to David Beckham’s in England, soared after winning a bronze medal in 10,000m at the 2,004 Olympics in Athens and rose to new heights after Tadesse defeated the Ethiopian multiple record holder for whom he reserves tremendous respect.
"I have become a role model for Eritreans," said Tadesse in Asmara, referring to his younger brothers Kidane, Maekele and Merhawi who, among others, have taken to athletics and occasionally accompany him on workouts outside Asmara Cemetery.
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