“Amanal wrote history”
Historical German World Cup silver in the marathon
15.09.2025 – 8:50 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Incredible scenes: Amanal Petros secures silver in a gripping marathon at the World Athletics World Cup. The German succeeds in doing a coup.
With the last strength, Amanal dragged petros to the finish – and with his appearance ensured a goosebumps moment at the World Cup in Tokyo and a sensational coup. The 30-year-old surprisingly won silver in the marathon and then had the emotions celebrated with the Germany flag overwhelmed.
The course of the native Eritrean went over the stage under extremely humid conditions – and ended in a gripping photo finish. Only three hundredths of a second separated petros from gold. Alphonce Simbu from Tanzania secured the title. Bronze went to the Italian Iliass Aouani.
Petros then spoke of a special moment – not only for himself, but above all for his family. Especially for his mother, who continues to live in a war zone. He hadn’t seen her for eight to nine years, he said. The fact that he has now won this medal is a huge story for him.
National coach Alexander Fromm, who had tears of joy in his eyes, said in the ARD: “Amanal wrote history. Simply outstanding.” Petros himself explained: “For me, this medal is a huge integration as a German.” Petros was also pleased with the German basketball players about their European Championship titles. He said about DBB captain Dennis Schröder: “He is a great basketball player. It is just special. I like him.”
Petros ran the prestigious route of 42.195 kilometers in Tokyo in 2:09:48 hours and made a strong race in the top group from the start. He was always able to respond to pace sharpening. When he tied together with Simbu and Aouani on the last few meters into the Tokyo nation stadium, Petros attacked. He even looked like the winner a few meters before the finish. But on the last few meters, Simbu passed the German.
After silver by long femorist Malaika Mihambo on Sunday, the Petros Coup is already the second precious metal for the German Athletics Association in Japan. At the past World Cup in Budapest two years ago, the German athletes had remained completely without a medal.