Maldivian athlete Yoosuf Ibrahim has broken the country’s half-marathon record at the Australian Goldcoast Half Marathon.
Yoosuf finished Friday’s half-marathon event in 1:09:58 and beat the previously held record of 1:10:55 by Shifaz Mohamed. Shifaz made the previous record at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) 2019 held in Mauritius.
Following Yoosuf’s victory, Shifaz currently holds only the full marathon record, which has not been beaten despite the sprinter’s suspension.
The new half-marathon record setter is coached by Nasrulla Ahmed, a veteran long distance runner credited for the most number of marathon participation from the Maldives. Another marathon runner coached by Nasuralla, Shamha Ahmed, who holds the women’s marathon record from the Maldives, took part in Friday’s half-marathon event as well.
Shamha previously set the women’s half-marathon record at the Dhaka Marathon, Bangladesh earlier this year. She completed the event in 1:26:42, but failed to surpass this during Friday’s half-marathon at Australia and completed the run under 1:27:44.
Shamha’s coach stated that the runner flew to Australia for the event after a 30-hour trip from Germany, and took part in the event without proper rest. Her coach added that he was content with Shamha’s performance despite the obstacles she faced.
“She had made a lengthy trip [here] and competed in the event without getting even a full day’s rest. If not, she would have broken [her previous] record,” Nasrulla said.
“Irufan is currently in second place from all the Maldivian half-marathon runners,” Nasrulla added.
The veteran runner said that he was pleased with the performances of all his students. Nasrulla is set to take part in his 91st marathon on Sunday, July 2.
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