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The Association of International Marathon and Road Races (AIMS) has announced the Moroccan Marathon runner Jaouad Gharib as the top male athlete in the world.
Jaouad Gharib received the top award in World road running, the AIMS/ASICS Golden Shoe in Lisbon, Portugal from the AIMS Vice President Carlos Moya.
Gharib successfully added his second World Championship Marathon title at Helsinki in 2005 after taking the title in Paris in 2003.
Career highlights
2002, World Half Marathon Championships, Brussels (2) 1:00:42
2003, Rotterdam Marathon, (6) 2:09:15
2003, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Paris (1) 2:08:31
2004, London Marathon, (3) 2:07:12 (PB)
2005, London Marathon, (2) 2:07:49
2005, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Helsinki (1) 2:10:10
Hiroaki Chosa, President of AIMS remarks: ‘To win two world championship titles for the marathon is a special achievement. Gharib’s consistency of performances in top level road racing is to be admired.’
Carlos Moya, Vice President of AIMS comments “It is with pleasure we recognise today the considerable achievements of Jaouad Gharib. Morocco is a country greatly respected throughout the World for producing many fine athletes. Gharib is among the all time greats of Moroccan sport and his achievements at the highest level are recognised globally today.”
Jaouad Gharib comments, “I really appreciate this prestigious award. It is always an honour to have your performances recognised and it is particularly pleasing to receive an award where over 80 countries around the world have been involved in the nomination process. It is an honour and a privilege. I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of so many great distance runners that have won this award over the years.”
Previous winners include Benson Masya (Kenya), Dionicio Ceron (Mexico), Vincent Rousseau (Belgium), Paul Tergat (Kenya), Josia Thugwane (South Africa), Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil), Abel Anton (Spain), Gezahenge Abera (Ethiopia), Josephat Kiprono (Kenya), Khalid Kannouchi (USA) and Stefano Baldini (Italy).
Jaouad Gharib
Born 22 May 1972, Morocco
1.76 m tall, 66 kg weight
Occupation; Athlete
Coach; Gianni Demadonna
Marathon Highlights
2002, World Half Marathon Championships, Brussels (2) 1:00:42
2003, Rotterdam Marathon, (6) 2:09:15
2003, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Paris-St. Denis (1) 2:08:31
2004, London Marathon, (3) 2:07:12 (PB)
2005, London Marathon, (2) 2:07:49
2005, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Helsinki (1) 2:10:10
Personal bests:
2004 London Marathon 2:07:12 and 2005 London Marathon 2:07:49 his 2nd fastest.
(Information supplied by AIMS Statistics Director Dr David Martin)
The AIMS/ASICS World athlete of the year awards were founded in 1992 and are decided each year by way of nominations made by the members of the world body The Association of International Marathons & Road Races (AIMS) member races. The membership totals some 200 races in over 80 countries covering every continent of the world.
A male and female winner are recognised each year for their outstanding athletic achievement and as ambassadors for their sport and country.
The award is sponsored by sports company ASICS and each winner is awarded a golden ASICS shoe.
Winners To Date
Year of Award Male Winner Female Winner
1992 Benson Masya (Kenya) Liz McColgan (Scotland)
1993 Dionicio Ceron (Mexico) No Award
1994 Vincent Rousseau (Belgium) Uta Pippig (Germany)
1995 No Award Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1996 Paul Tergat (Kenya) Uta Pippig (Germany)
1997 Josia Thugwane (South Africa) Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1998 Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil) Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1999 Abel Anton (Spain) Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
2000 Gezahenge Abera (Ethiopia) Naoko Takahashi (Japan)
2001 Josephat Kiprono (Kenya) Catherine Ndereba (Kenya)
2002 Khalid Kannouchi (USA) Paula Radcliffe (England)
2003 Paul Tergat (Kenya) Paula Radcliffe (England)
2004 Stefano Baldini (Italy) Mizuki Noguchi (Japan)
2005 Jaouad Gharib (Morocco) To be announced