DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 17 -- UNDER the steely skies of Tokyo, Japan, amidst blistering pressure and fierce competition, Alphonce Simbu did not just win a race he carved his name into history.

His extraordinary triumph at the World Athletics Championships marathon was more than a personal victory; it was a defining moment for Tanzania and a beacon for every aspiring athlete.

When Simbu surged in the final agonising metres, edging Germanys Amanal Petros by a razor-thin 0.03 seconds (both clocked at 2:09:48), he did not merely cross the finish line he transcended into legend.

Becoming the first Tanzanian ever to clinch a World Championships gold in the marathon, Simbu transformed dreams into reality and etched an indelible mark on his countr...