Fatima Gardadi Wins Morocco’s First-Ever Medal in Marathon at World Athletics Championships

Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi won the bronze medal in the women’s marathon at the Budapest World Athletics Championships on Saturday. This win marks the first time a Moroccan woman has earned a marathon medal at the World Athletics Championships.

Gardadi, who is 31 years old, completed the 26.2-mile distance in 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 17 seconds.

The gold medal was won by Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso Shankule, who finished the race with a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 23 seconds, while her fellow Ethiopian, Gotytom Gebreslase, took silver with a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 34 seconds.

Morocco won its 2nd bronze medal at the 19th World Athletics Championships thanks to Fatima Zahra Gardadi’s achievement. Soufiane El Bakkali had already taken home the gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase.

At the current World Championships held in Budapest in 2023, Morocco is represented by 17 athletes, 12 of whom are men and 5 women. In the past, Morocco participated in 18 editions of the World Athletics Championships and received a total of 31 medals. These included 11 gold, 12 silver, and 8 bronze prizes won by 14 athletes.