Swiss sportswear brand On has announced the addition of Samuel Tefera to its roster of athletes. The Ethiopian has already made his mark on the world stage, winning the 1500m World Indoor Championships in 2018 at just 18 years old.
The 25-year-old debuted with On in the 5000m at the Doha Diamond League competition on May 16. Leading the race at times, Tefera finished in fourth position, in a time of 13:18.63.
Tefera’s running journey began at school in Midakegn, in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. As a Grade 8 student, he finished second in a race, facing runners much older and more experienced than he was. This became a turning point in Tefera’s life. While he enjoyed the sport and running with friends, his talent was clear, and the second-place finish gave him the belief and encouragement he needed to take his running to the next level. At the regional level, Tefera went on to win the 1500m and was picked up by a club and started training more seriously as a Grade 10 student.
He made his first appearance on the world stage at age 17 at the 2017 London World Athletics Championships. He competed in his preferred distance, the 1500m, but was eliminated in the heats. A year later, he won gold at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, taking the win in a time of 3:58.19.
A year later, still a teenager, Tefera broke the world indoor record for the 1500m, which had stood for 22 years. His new world record of 3:31.04 stood for three years before Jakob Ingebrigsten broke the record.
Tefera was called up to represent Ethiopia at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, but an injury hindered him from progressing further than the heats in the 1500m competition. Returning to the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade in 2022, Tefera defended his title and set a new championship record of 3:32.77.
Speaking on his decision to join On, Tefera said, “On’s commitment to performance and their unique approach resonate deeply with my own aspirations on the track. I’m excited to chase records together and see how we’ll partner to shape the future of running and footwear.”
