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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Donagh Corby

Efrem Gidey wins U20 bronze for Ireland at Euro Cross Country Championships

A 19-year-old who moved to Ireland as a refugee two years ago has won U20 bronze for Ireland at the Euro Cross Country Championships.

Efrem Gidey, who came from Eritrea, finished third on his international debut with a time of 19:01, just seconds behind second place Ayetullah Aslanhan of Turkey.

Speaking after the race, which was won by Jakob Ingerbrigtsen of Norway, the Clonliffe Harriers athlete said: "Before I was thinking that I need a top ten place.

"But to get a spot in third place, it makes me so happy, I don't believe it and it's just amazing."

Gidey's journey to Ireland involved spending a considerable amount of time in the Calais refugee camp among others.

He has yet to secure an Irish passport, but Athletics Ireland managed to obtain a Schengen Visa which allowed him to travel and compete in Lisbon.

Meanwhile, Stephanie also picked up an individual bronze medal after finishing third in the under-23 race.

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Euro Cross Country Championships

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