DILI, 02 september 2023 (TATOLI) – Felisberto de Deus and Angela Freitas are the winners of the 2023 Dili International Marathon (MID) in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Felisberto ran the 42 km distance in a remarkable time to become the winner of the Dili International Men’s Marathon Category on saturday morning. Meanwhile, Angela also made a remarkable achievement on saturday (02/09), to win the Dili International Women’s Category.
Both Timorese runners won the DIM, which many other Timorese will look up to as a role model to dream of becoming champions in the future. They won US$2,500 each.
In an interview, Felisberto thanked the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, the government, and development partners for organizing the event.
“This is a motivation for us to keep striving to train harder so that we can compete at regional and international level. I’m very proud of myself for winning this competition,” said Felisberto at the Presidential Palace, today.
He urged the government to invest seriously in young Timorese so that they can compete at international events in the future.
Last year, Felisberto came third, promising to be the first winner of the 2023 DIM and he did it today.
In addition, last year Angela Freitas was the only Timorese female runner to win the top position as the fourth-place winner and she also won first place today.
Runners from Kunpang, one of the Indonesian provinces bordering Timor-Leste, also took part in the competition.
More than 2000 runners competed in the categories of 21 km, 10 km, and 3 km.
President Horta pledged to organize the same event in the municipalities, with the aim of involving more young people in this type of sport.
“I will coordinate with the government so that maybe every month we can close some roads to invite people to do physical activities and exercise,” he said.
The 2023 Dili Marathon is sponsored by a Vietnamese telecommunications company based in Timor-Leste called Telemor.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
