Feyisa Lilesa is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who is also a member of the Oromo people.
Lilesa is famous for completing the men’s marathon in 2010 and timed 2:05:23 at Rotterdam Marathon. Moreover, this event made him the youngest man to run under 2:06.
Nevertheless, Feyisa Lilesa rose to prominence after finishing the 2012 Chicago Marathon in second place, notably with the personal best of 2:04:52.
The Ethiopian native Feyisa Lilesa was born in 1990. Moreover, there is not much detail about his father and mother.
Also, it seems like Feyisa wants to concentrate on his game instead of public attention and popularity.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Feyisa Lilesa |
| Date of Birth | 1 February 1990 |
| Birth Place | Ethiopia |
| Nick Name | Feyisa |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Height | 6’2” (1.87m) |
| Weight | 154.3 lb (67 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brownish |
| Build | Athletic |
| Farther’s Name | Unknown |
| Mother’s Name | Unknown |
| Siblings | None |
| Education | Unknown |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Iftu Mulisa |
| Children | Soko Lilesa and Soro Lilesa |
| Profession | Runner |
| Team | Ethiopia National Team |
| Level | Senior Player |
| Previous Team | N/A |
| Highest Rank | No. 4 |
| Active Years | 2008 – present |
| Net Worth | $700,000 |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Book |
| Last Update | July, 2022 |
Feyisa Lilesa | Earnings and Salary
Feyisa Lilesa is the pride of Ethiopia, having won numerous main event championships. However, as of 2021, Fyisa Lilesa’s salary is unknown. He does, however, make a good living from his salary and prize money.
Nonetheless, in 2017, he won the Bogota Half Marathon. He has clearly claimed the $110,000 prize money by winning the event.
Similarly, Feyisa won another half marathon the following year, the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, for which he received $215,000.
Not to mention, Feylsa Lilesa made Olympic history by finishing second in Rio in 2016. Furthermore, he received $1,471,315 in prize money during that time.
Feyisa Lilesa | Prize Money and Early Income
Felsa Lilesa, an Ethiopian marathon runner, has won five tournaments so far. Clearly, he has amassed considerable fortune and fame during his professional career.
Furthermore, Felsa Lilesa’s first triumph came in the Dublin marathon. He was awarded $50,000, plus several thousand dollars in additional prize money. In fact, Feyisa, a well-known marathon runner, won the Xiamen International Marathon in China.
However, after winning the race, he was only awarded $25,000 rather than the full $40,000 prize money because his finishing time did not meet the minimum.
Nonetheless, after a long wait, he finally raised the victory flag in the Tokyo marathon in 2016. Furthermore, the total winning prize for the Tokyo marathon was $1,084,000, including a prize poll of $352,000.
Furthermore, the $732,000 total included time bonuses with a potential payout of $460,000. As a result, winning the Tokyo marathon has netted him nearly $500,000 in prize money.
Feyisa Lilesa | Marriage, Family, and Kids
Feyisa Lilesa, a world-renowned marathon runner, married in 2021. Iftu Mulisa, his long-term girlfriend, is his wife.
Unfortunately, Mulisa, Lilesa’s wife, is not socially active, so the information and personal details are unknown. Furthermore, Feyisa has not revealed anything about his marital life thus far. He appears to want to keep his family out of the spotlight.
Nonetheless, the lovely couple Feyisa Lilesa and Iftu Mulisa married in Ethiopia in 2012. Likewise, the couple’s long marriage has resulted in three adorable children.
Soko Lilesa, Feyisa’s eldest daughter, is now six years old. In addition, the couple has a son named Sora Lilesa.
Feyisa Lilesa’s Tragic Story
Ethiopian governments decided to reallocate land in the Oromo and Amhara regions in 2016. Despite the protests of the locals, the government continued with their plan rather than exercising control.
Indeed, Human Rights Watch claims that security forces have killed over 400 Oromo demonstrators, a figure that the government denies.
Similarly, Feyisa Lilesa was keeping an eye on Oromo Ethiopians who had been subjected to violent police agitation. Nonetheless, as he finished the marathon, he crossed his hands over his chest to show his support for the victims.
Lilesa did not return to his native land because he was afraid of being murdered after the event. Instead, he sought asylum in Arizona, USA.
Following that, Ethiopia’s new leader, Abiy Ahmed, encouraged him to return home to his country in October 2018, effectively ending his two-year exile.
Feyisa Lilesa | Professional Profile
In terms of his professional career, Feyisa Lilesa’s first major competition was the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Furthermore, his 14th place in the young division during the game enabled Ethiopia to win silver medals.
In addition, he began competing in international competitions in 2008. Feyisa clearly competed in the inaugural World 10K Bangalore race in May, finishing fifth.
International Championships and Records
The following year, Feyisa made his senior debut at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where he won silver for the top team.
Notably, Feyisa Lilesa significantly improved on the Xiamen International Marathon in January 2010. During the game, Feyisa broke Samuel Muturi Mugo’s record and won his first major marathon.
Book by Feyisa Lilesa
Dr. Stephany Evans Steggall wrote the book ‘A Time To Born: The Feyisa Lilesa Story,’ which details Feyisa’s struggle and life. This is an enraged narrative that gives readers a broad view of a well-known East African runner.
It appears to be a life story book about Feyisa, an Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. The concept of a birth time is a deeply held cosmological belief among the Oromo.
Furthermore, as he narrates his story, Feyisa wonders if he was born at the appropriate time.
Major Accomplishment
- Bronze medal in 2011 at World Championship marathon.
- Silver medal at the Rio Olympics (2016).
- Silver medal at IAAF World Cross Country Championship (2009).
FAQs
What happened to Feyisa Lilesaa?
After the fear of death, he did not return to his country and remained in the United States. However, the Ethiopian hero returned to his homeland in 2016.
Is Feyisa Lilesa family dead?
No, Feyisa Lisa’s family is not dead. Although he was exiled, his family and relatives stayed in Ethiopia safely.
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