In the 2024 London Marathon, who is Muneo who defeated Bekele?

In the 2024 London Marathon, the 41-year-old Bekele almost made a comeback, but after 35 kilometers of the race, Kenya's Alexander Mutiso Munyao stepped up and finally crossed the finish line 14 seconds ahead of Bekele.

Who is the new Grand Slam champion, Muneo who won against Bekele?

Before the race, Bekele's main opponents were believed to be his two Ethiopian compatriots, Mosinet Geremew, who was second only to Bekele PB2:02:55 and a two-time World Championships marathon silver medallist, and Tamirat Tola, who was the World Championships marathon gold medallist and record holder in Eugene.

Although Muño's quality (PB2:03:11) was created at the Valencia Marathon last December, where he finished second in 2:01:48 with Sisay Lemma, he is a rookie to the Grand Slam tournament and no one is optimistic about him against a crowd of seasoned players.

In the first 30 kilometers of the race, it can be said that Pei Ye attracted the attention of all the spectators, and he maintained his position in the leading group with a relaxed and steady state, and established himself in the gradually shrinking group.

With favourite Tora dropping out of the lead around 30km, Munio realised his chance and he started to follow in the footsteps of veteran Bekele, with only him and Bekele left to fight for the final title at 35km.

With the last 3km remaining, Muneo gradually took the lead, and although the tenacious Bei Ye was not too far away, the young Mounio maintained the lead as the finish line approached, and continued until the end, finally winning the London Marathon for the first time and winning the first Grand Slam trophy!

It is not an exaggeration to say that Muneo is the biggest dark horse of the London Marathon, and after this battle, Muneo who won Bekele can be said to have become famous in a fight! Muneo said after the race: "This is the highest standard race I have won in my life, it is very significant, but this is only the beginning!"

Muneo, from Kenya, was born in September 1996 and is not yet 28 years old. Similar to many Kenyan long-distance runners, running has been a part of Munio's life since he was a child, not only running to and from school, but also running daily to fetch water from 3 kilometres from his home.

With his physical talent and running experience, Muño became a good track runner at a young age, winning bronze in the men's 3,000m at the U18 World Championships in 2013, but this is not a particularly impressive result in Kenya, which is full of talent.

In 2015, Muneo chose to go to Japan to develop and become a member of the ND Soft Industrial Group. This is his ninth year in Japan, and he has already become an important player in the team.

During this period, he participated in many team relay races and other track and field events in Japan. And he has achieved some good results, and his PB in the 5,000m and 10,000m track races was created during this time.

During his time in Japan, Muneo has accumulated some racing experience and improved his performance, and in 2020 he began to gradually make his mark on the world road running stage.

In January 2020, he won a half marathon in Spain with a time of 59:09, in February he finished second in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates with a time of 59:16, and in December 2020 he ran a half-marathon in Valencia, Spain, with a time of 57:59.

In 2021, due to the impact of the epidemic, he only participated in one half marathon in Germany in September and finished second with 59:20.

In December 2022, Muño made his debut marathon at the famous Valencia Marathon, where he finished third with a time of 2:03:29, the second fastest time in history!

Speaking of which, the winner of this edition is the late marathon world record holder Kiptum, who also welcomed his maiden race as a fellow Kenyan of Muño, who won the race with a time of 2:01:53 and set a world record for the first marathon...

In May 2023, Muneo won his second marathon in Prague, Czech Republic, with a time of 2:05:09, this time beating Ethiopia's Sisay Lemma, who won this year's Boston Marathon.

In December 2023, Munio once again set foot on the course of the Valencia Marathon, setting a new PB with a time of 2:03:11, losing to Lema for second place, who set a new course and personal record in 2:01:48.

In the fourth marathon, Munio reached the top in London, which allowed him to reach new heights in the marathon event. In addition, his victory also made a subtle change in the situation for Kenya's marathon at the Paris Olympics.

Speaking after the race, Muño expressed his desire to represent Kenya at the Paris Olympics: "Now, my wish is to be part of the Kenyan Olympic team. I believe I have what it takes to be in the national team. Today's victory has given me a dose of strength and my confidence has been raised a notch!"

Kenyan champion Peres Jepchirchir won 2:16:16 to break the all-women's world record, and she also set a new PB by one minute, marking the start of her Paris Olympic title defense.

However, Kipchoge, who is also the reigning Olympic marathon champion, has not been doing so well of late, finishing 10th at this year's Tokyo Marathon in 2:06:50, losing to the winner, Kenya's Benson Kipruto.

Muño's victory added another point to the chances of the Games in Paris, and for Kipchoge, the excellent performances of both compatriots this year have added some uncertainty to his Olympic journey. Time is so cruel that legends like Kipchoge and Bekele have to bow down in the face of time.

As the so-called back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, the emergence of dark horses represented by Muneo has also brought new changes to the pattern of the world marathon. And with the rise of newcomers, will Kipchoge and Bekele still be able to meet at the Paris Olympics?