Yomif Kejelcha at a Glance
- Net Worth: $4 Million
- Birthdate: 1 August 1997
- Birthplace: Showa, Oromia, Ethiopia
- Profession: Professional Long-Distance Runner
- Nationality: Ethiopian
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What is Yomif Kejelcha’s Net Worth?
Yomif Kejelcha has a net worth of $4 million. He has built his fortune as an elite Ethiopian long-distance runner, specializing in events ranging from the 3000 meters to the half marathon.
His wealth is primarily derived from a combination of prize money, appearance fees, and major brand endorsements. Kejelcha is a fixture on the lucrative Wanda Diamond League circuit, where event winners can earn $10,000 for a single meeting victory and $30,000 for a final win. His victories at the World Indoor Championships in 2016 and 2018 also came with significant prize purses. As a world-class athlete who has broken world records, Kejelcha commands substantial appearance fees to compete in major city marathons and track meets.
Early Life
Yomif Kejelcha was born in Showa, Oromia, Ethiopia. He is the fifth of nine children born to Kejelcha Atoma and Biritu Negese. His passion for athletics began early, inspired by his friend Abebe Dribsa. His decision to pursue the sport professionally was met with resistance; he dropped out of high school in the ninth grade to focus on running, a choice that led to his father expelling him from the family home. He eventually joined the Burayu Kenema Club and moved closer to Addis Ababa to advance his training.
Career
Yomif Kejelcha burst onto the international scene as a junior athlete, establishing his dominance with a gold medal in the 3000m at the 2013 World Youth Championships. He followed this by winning the 5000m at both the 2014 World Junior Championships and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. His transition to the senior ranks was seamless. In 2015, he won the 5000m title in the Diamond League.
Kejelcha proved to be one of the world’s most formidable indoor runners, capturing back-to-back gold medals in the 3000m at the 2016 and 2018 World Indoor Championships. His prowess on the track extended outdoors, where he won the silver medal in the 10,000m at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. He repeated this feat by securing another 10,000m silver at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
In 2019, he set a new world indoor record for the mile with a stunning time of 3:47.01. As his career progressed, Kejelcha successfully transitioned to road racing. He set a half marathon world record in 2024 with a time of 57:30 at the Valencia Half Marathon. He returned to Valencia in October 2025 to successfully defend his title, solidifying his status as one of the best road runners in the world. His performances in 2025 earned him a nomination for the World Athletics Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award.
