In sport, greatness is often associated with athletes who discover and nurture their talent from childhood. Marathon legends such as Eliud Kipchoge showed signs of brilliance at a young age before becoming global icons.

But Rwanda’s Emeline Imanizabayo is proving that talent can still emerge later in life.

The 29-year-old recently made history by winning gold medals in both the women’s 3,000m and 5,000m races at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships, becoming the first Rwandan athlete to achieve the feat.

Her remarkable rise has established her as one of Rwanda’s brightest athletics stars—despite only beginning her professional journey at the age of 24.

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When Imanizabayo lined up for the 2021 Kigali International Peace Marathon, she had little experience and no professional background in athletics.

Competing independently in the women’s half marathon alongside seasoned runners who had trained for years, she finished 13th.

At the time, the result may not have appeared extraordinary. But for Imanizabayo, it became the turning point of her life. What started as a simple challenge uncovered a hidden gift and inspired her to pursue a dream she never knew she possessed.

Who is Imanizabayo?

Born in Kivuye Cell, Kagarama Sector in Burera District, Northern Province, Imanizabayo’s childhood was marked by hardship. Raised by her maternal grandparents, she grew up without ever knowing her parents.

Long before athletics entered her life, her dream was to become a footballer. She admired her uncle, Callixte Ujeneza, who played for several top Rwandan clubs, including Rayon Sports and AS Kigali.

Everything changed when a friend encouraged her to take part in the Kigali International Peace Marathon.

"I dreamed of playing football as a striker, but my grandparents wanted me to focus on my studies,” she told Times Sport. "That dream slowly faded away. After finishing secondary school, one of my friends suggested that I participate in the Kigali International Peace Marathon. I joined for fun, but that moment changed my life.”

Following her impressive performance, Imanizabayo was approached by Sina Gérard Athletics Club, which offered her an opportunity to train professionally.

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Accepting the offer, however, was far from easy.

At the time, she was already a mother raising a young daughter while working in the mining sector to support her family. Pursuing athletics meant leaving behind a stable income for an uncertain future.

"It was a very difficult decision,” she recalled. "The club was not paying as much as I earned from mining, but my coach kept encouraging me. He always told me he could see a bright future in me.”

She eventually took the risk—a decision that would transform her life.

Only six months after joining the club, she earned her first national team call-up and later boarded a plane for the first time to represent Rwanda at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she finished 14th in the women’s 5,000m final.

"That was the moment I fully dedicated my life to athletics,” she said.

When she returned home, her performance and potential earned widespread praise. Her grandparents also committed themselves to helping raise her daughter, giving her more time to focus on training and competition.

Balancing motherhood and athletics

Even with family support, balancing motherhood and elite sport remained one of the greatest challenges of her career.

Long training camps often kept her away from home for months at a time. Yet rather than discouraging her, those sacrifices became her source of motivation.

"I never complained or wanted anyone to feel sorry for me,” she said. "I had the responsibility to fight for my child while also pushing myself to succeed. That mentality kept me going.”

Imanizabayo hopes her story can inspire young women facing similar struggles.

"I want girls out there to understand that giving birth should not mean the end of their dreams. It should motivate them to work even harder for themselves and for their children.”

Rise to continental success

Imanizabayo’s rise continued in 2024 when she claimed bronze in the women’s half marathon at the Kigali International Peace Marathon.

Although she narrowly missed out on gold to Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moset, the setback only fueled her determination.

Within less than four months, she bounced back to win three gold medals.

In April, she captured gold at the Dutch National Championships in Utrecht after winning the women’s 5,000m race in 15:07.

She later added two more gold medals at the African Senior Athletics Championships in the women’s 3,000m and 5,000m events, cementing her status as one of Rwanda’s leading athletes.

Eyes on the Commonwealth Games

Imanizabayo and fellow Rwandan runner Florence Niyonkuru were recently left out of the national squad for the 22nd Kigali International Peace Marathon scheduled for June 13-14.

According to the Rwanda Athletics Federation, both athletes withdrew in order to focus on preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.

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For Imanizabayo, the decision was not a sacrifice, but another opportunity to represent Rwanda on a bigger stage.

"I see a huge opportunity in this decision because we are still representing our country,” she said.

"My goal goes beyond winning gold medals. I want Rwanda to be recognised among the strongest athletics nations in Africa. When people talk about the best runners, they always mention Kenya and other countries. I want Rwanda to be part of that conversation too.”