In sport, greatness is usually related to athletes who uncover and nurture their expertise from childhood. Marathon legends corresponding to Eliud Kipchoge confirmed indicators of brilliance at a younger age earlier than changing into international icons.
However Rwanda’s Emeline Imanizabayo is proving that expertise can nonetheless emerge later in life.
The 29-year-old lately made historical past by successful gold medals in each the ladies’s 3,000m and 5,000m races on the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships, changing into the primary Rwandan athlete to realize the feat.
Her exceptional rise has established her as one in every of Rwanda’s brightest athletics stars—regardless of solely starting her skilled journey on the age of 24.
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When Imanizabayo lined up for the 2021 Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon, she had little expertise and no skilled background in athletics.
Competing independently within the girls’s half marathon alongside seasoned runners who had educated for years, she completed thirteenth.
On the time, the consequence might not have appeared extraordinary. However for Imanizabayo, it turned the turning level of her life. What began as a easy problem uncovered a hidden present and impressed her to pursue a dream she by no means knew she possessed.
Who’s Imanizabayo?
Born in Kivuye Cell, Kagarama Sector in Burera District, Northern Province, Imanizabayo’s childhood was marked by hardship. Raised by her maternal grandparents, she grew up with out ever figuring out her dad and mom.
Lengthy earlier than athletics entered her life, her dream was to turn into a footballer. She admired her uncle, Callixte Ujeneza, who performed for a number of prime Rwandan golf equipment, together with Rayon Sports activities and AS Kigali.
Every thing modified when a buddy inspired her to participate within the Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon.
“I dreamed of taking part in soccer as a striker, however my grandparents needed me to concentrate on my research,” she informed Instances Sport. “That dream slowly light away. After ending secondary faculty, one in every of my mates urged that I take part within the Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon. I joined for enjoyable, however that second modified my life.”
Following her spectacular efficiency, Imanizabayo was approached by Sina Gérard Athletics Membership, which provided her a possibility to coach professionally.
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Accepting the supply, nevertheless, was removed from straightforward.
On the time, she was already a mom elevating a younger daughter whereas working within the mining sector to help her household. Pursuing athletics meant abandoning a steady earnings for an unsure future.
“It was a really tough resolution,” she recalled. “The membership was not paying as a lot as I earned from mining, however my coach saved encouraging me. He all the time informed me he might see a shiny future in me.”
She ultimately took the danger—a call that may rework her life.
Solely six months after becoming a member of the membership, she earned her first nationwide group call-up and later boarded a aircraft for the primary time to symbolize Rwanda on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games, the place she completed 14th within the girls’s 5,000m ultimate.
“That was the second I absolutely devoted my life to athletics,” she stated.
When she returned dwelling, her efficiency and potential earned widespread reward. Her grandparents additionally dedicated themselves to serving to elevate her daughter, giving her extra time to concentrate on coaching and competitors.
Balancing motherhood and athletics
Even with household help, balancing motherhood and elite sport remained one of many best challenges of her profession.
Lengthy coaching camps typically saved her away from dwelling for months at a time. But slightly than discouraging her, these sacrifices turned her supply of motivation.
“I by no means complained or needed anybody to really feel sorry for me,” she stated. “I had the duty to battle for my little one whereas additionally pushing myself to succeed. That mentality saved me going.”
Imanizabayo hopes her story can encourage younger girls going through comparable struggles.
“I would like ladies on the market to grasp that giving delivery mustn’t imply the tip of their desires. It ought to encourage them to work even tougher for themselves and for his or her youngsters.”
Rise to continental success
Imanizabayo’s rise continued in 2024 when she claimed bronze within the girls’s half marathon on the Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon.
Though she narrowly missed out on gold to Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moset, the setback solely fueled her willpower.
Inside lower than 4 months, she bounced again to win three gold medals.
In April, she captured gold on the Dutch Nationwide Championships in Utrecht after successful the ladies’s 5,000m race in 15:07.
She later added two extra gold medals on the African Senior Athletics Championships within the girls’s 3,000m and 5,000m occasions, cementing her standing as one in every of Rwanda’s main athletes.
Eyes on the Commonwealth Video games
Imanizabayo and fellow Rwandan runner Florence Niyonkuru had been lately ignored of the nationwide squad for the twenty second Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon scheduled for June 13-14.
In response to the Rwanda Athletics Federation, each athletes withdrew with the intention to concentrate on preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Video games, which can happen from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.
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For Imanizabayo, the choice was not a sacrifice, however one other alternative to symbolize Rwanda on an even bigger stage.
“I see an enormous alternative on this resolution as a result of we’re nonetheless representing our nation,” she stated.
“My purpose goes past successful gold medals. I would like Rwanda to be recognised among the many strongest athletics nations in Africa. When folks discuss one of the best runners, they all the time point out Kenya and different international locations. I would like Rwanda to be a part of that dialog too.”
