Press Release - HAWI Management - 6/23/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Top Eritrean Marathoner, Yared Asmerom Appoints Eritrean-born 
                   Athlete Manager, Merhawi Keflezighi

June 23, 2009 -  As Yared Asmerom prepares to represent Eritrea for the 
2009 IAAF World Championships, he has retained Merhawi Keflezighi of HAWI 
Management, as his manager and agent, effective immediately.

Yared Asmerom was the top Eritrean in the 2008 Olympic Marathon finishing 
8th overall.  His accomplishments include a 4th place finish in the 2007 
IAAF World Championships Marathon in Osaka and top 3 finishes in the last 
two Lake Biwa Marathons. The 29 year-old has personal bests of 1:00:28 in 
the half marathon and 2:08:34 in the full marathon.  Yared expressed his 
delight in working with Merhawi Keflezighi's agency.  "I am excited to work 
with Merhawi. I have known him for years as a friend, and feel he is the 
perfect manager to help advance my career.  We share similar roots and 
values which allow us to have smooth communication and a productive working 
relationship."  

Yared Asmerom becomes the 5th athlete on the HAWI Management roster that 
includes 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist and 18-time U.S. Champion Meb 
Keflezighi.  Yared Asmerom is the first athlete on the HAWI Management 
roster that has and will represent Eritrea in international competition.

Merhawi Keflezighi is equally excited about the new collaboration.  "I am 
honored to have the opportunity to represent Yared Asmerom.  He is a truly 
gifted athlete, with a great work ethic and amazing personality.  I know 
that Eritrean athletics has so much potential, and Yared is an illustration 
of the athletic potential that exists in Eritrea. I'd like to thank the 
Eritrean Sports Commission for authorizing me to represent Eritrean 
athletes.  It has been a goal of mine to do so since the day I started my 
agency in 2005."

For more information, contact Merhawi Keflezighi at .

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