Tuhia he haere tonu mo tenei whitianga - España tuatahi tohu Spain i te 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
, i a ia i te tekau mā tahi i te whakataetae poto. I wini ia i tana mētara tuatahi i te tau e whai ake nei i te 2002 European Athletics Indoor Championships, i te tango i te mētara parahi i runga i te 3000 m. I waho, i tae ia ki te tekau ma tahi i te 5000 mita i te 2002 European Athletics Championships. I tata ia ki tetahi atu mētara i roto i te whare i te 2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships, ka mutu i te hautanga o te tuarua i muri i te mētara parahi a Luke Kipkosgei. I te tau 2005 i wini ia i te mētara koura 3000 m i te 2005 European Cup ka haere ki te whakataetae i te 2005 World Championships in Athletics, i reira i whakakorea ai ia i roto i nga werawera.