 He was the 2005 World Youth Champion in the 3000 m and upgraded to a world junior silver medal the next year over 5000 m. He took bronze at the 2006 IAAF World Athletics Final and represented Ethiopia at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics.He won his first major senior medal (a bronze) at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships.He became world junior champion in 2008 and also made his Olympic debut, finishing fifth at the 2008 Beijing Games.