From Paralympics to the parkruns of Middlesbrough - meet the Ethiopian medalist who now calls Middlesbrough home

READY TO GO: Wondiye Fikre Indelbu lines up at the start of the Riverside Run 5k last weekend

NINE months ago, Wondiye Fikre Indelbu was Ethiopia's first Paralympics medalist in the country's history - now he is dedicating his future to the UK.
Indelbu took silver at London in the T46 1500m, and, like a number of Olympians and Paralympians did, he stayed in the UK and claimed asylum, citing persecution from the Ethiopian government after it was discovered he and his family supported an illegal political party.
Indelbu's journey took him from London to Huddersfield and on to Middlesbrough, where he now hopes to make a future for himself pending an asylum claim.
His first competitive road race since the Paralympics came on Sunday as he finished third in Middlesbrough's Riverside Run 5k event, after he won 17 parkruns at Albert Park, near to where he lives.
The process of asylum in the UK poses a challenge to Indelbu - he has faced a string of hearings in London and lives on next to nothing, affecting his training - but it is nothing compared to the horrific challenges he has faced in his past.
Born in Chole, in the Oroman region of Ethiopia, in 1988, Indelbu was nine years old when government forces attacked his village, whose inhabitants supported the outlawed Oromo Liberation Front.
A hand grenade was thrown into Indelbu's house, killing his father and seriously injuring the young Wondiye - losing part of an arm and an eye.
Despite his injuries, Indelbu got involved with a local athletics club who spotted his potential, and became a promising athlete with the Ethiopian Federation, culminating in his appearance at the Olympic Stadium last year.
However, he knew there would be no hero's welcome on his return to Ethiopia.
"I couldn't return back to my homeland. As I am now seeking asylum I can't go back to my homeland because the government know about me and I expect to be sent to prison or they may hurt me, or even kill me," Indelbu said, through a translator.
"If I am to go back to my country I expect them to kill me.
"I have represented them a number of times, with them not knowing I was a member of that party. I won't expect to return to my country."
Owing to the complications in his application for residency, Indelbu may never represent the UK in an event - any GB athlete must be a UK passport holder which is a long way off - which makes his achievements last summer all the more important to cherish.
Indelbu said: "As I was the first Paralympic medalist for my country, it was a great pleasure for me in London.
"It was a chance that I may not get again. It was a special occasion and a special moment to run before 80,000 people in the stadium."
Indelbu, who ran the Riverside Run in 14.45, is not part of an athletics club, but has been supported by local parkrunners, with Indelbu running on Sunday in aid of the Teesside branch of the MS Society.
Whenever he competes in a parkrun, Indelbu is the centre of attention, and although his English is not his strongest suit, he appreciates the support of his new neighbours.
"I found Middlesbrough a very interesting place and I like it very much - the place as well as the people. The people were very kind and very accepting of me. It's a very nice place," he said.
"The people of Middlesbrough love sport, I've seen that.
"While I've been doing the parkruns, I have found the people were all supporting and encouraging me. They have stood beside me. They are good people."
His future in the UK is uncertain, but Indelbu announced: "I'm appealing to the court here and I hope to be a UK citizen and I want to represent the UK in competitions from now on.
"I expect to be a winner, and running with non-disabled people like Oscar Pistorius did last summer. I'm in better condition than him and I expect to win. With god's will, I will be successful.
"Unfortunately, in the conditions I'm living, I'm short of support, I don't have regular gym practice as it is too expensive for me. I can't afford to go to the gym. I need a sponsor to prepare me for a race. I'd expect to get a good result if I have the right training.
"I'm in good condition. I've been running 29.31 which indicates I'm in a good condition.
"If I'm in the right condition I might not be the first, but I'd be near the top. I could go on to win. Maybe not this year, but certainly next.
Indelbu is aiming to compete in the Tees Pride 10k in September but, after initially targeting the Great Manchester Run last month, he is on the lookout for further events to challenge him as he seeks to continue his successful career in athletics.
His motivation is simple. "When my father was killed, I was determined to find a way to make his name renowned. Through running, I can do that," said Indelbu.
"I propose to work as hard as I can to be the number one athlete to make my father's name renowned.
"This is what motivates me. Fikre Indelbu is my father's name and I want it to be known as the greatest."