Abdishukri Hassan: A Rising Star in Track and Field and Cross Country

Abdishukri “Abdi” Hassan, a Grade 8 student at Hugh John Macdonald School, is making an incredible mark in athletics, breaking records and excelling in disciplines he only began competing in last year. Beyond his passion and eagerness to try something new, Abdi brings a natural talent to both track & field and cross country, standing out at both the divisional and provincial levels.

Success across different levels

Abdi’s journey began in Grade 7 when he first decided to try cross country running. “The first time I competed, I got second place,” he recalls. That early success sparked his motivation to improve, “I wanted first place,” he says. “so, I practised more.” His commitment led him to continue training through the cross-country season and into track and field in the spring.

Divisional awards

Last school year, Abdi competed in the divisional Track & Field Championships, where he broke division records in the 100-, 150-, 300-, 1200-, and 2000-metre races. This year he continued to stand out by winning all four divisional Junior High Cross-Country Races which earned him an Outstanding Achievement Award.

Provincial competitions

At the Junior High Provincial Track & Field Championships, he placed first in the 1200-metre race, second in the 800-metre race, and third in the 300-metre race.

In June 2025, he placed first in both the 300- and 1200-metre races at the Athletics Manitoba Age Class Outdoor Provincial Championships. More recently, in February 2026, he placed first in the 300-metre race and second in the 800-, 1200-, and 2000-metre races at the Manitoba Age Class Indoor Provincial Championships.

Reflecting on the difference between competition levels, Abdishukri noted, “At school, it can be a bit easier… but at provincials, some people are fast. They train more.” Now Abdi is training with Winnipeg Optimist Athletics.

His physical education teacher, Darius Konotopetz, recognized Abdishukri's potential early on. “He’s a very talented athlete,” he said. “Even when he was new to cross country and didn’t know what it was, you could see he was strong and going to be good.” He also highlighted Abdi’s mindset as a reason for his success: “He has that desire to get better every day. He’s always asking to train more and looking to improve.”

Looking ahead

Abdishukri continues to train and compete in indoor track, with the outdoor season approaching. When asked what being an athlete means to him, he said, “I feel good. I want to keep running… I want to chase my dream.” Offering advice for new athletes, he encourages, “Try your best. Even if you don’t know what cross country is, just try your best.” With this mindset, his dedication, and his talent, the future looks exceptionally bright for Abdi, and we can’t wait to see where his speed and determination take him next.