What is the real definition of strength and endurance? This was recently, on 11th August put to the test by Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo. In the marathon, Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan crossed the finish line with a sprint finish that left everyone breathless, clinching gold and her third medal of the Paris Olympics. The 31-year-old accelerated in the final 200 meters, setting an Olympic record of 2 hours 22 minutes 55 seconds, narrowly beating Ethiopian Tigst Assefa by just three seconds. The race may be over, but if you’re wondering how Kinzang Lhamo fits into this picture. Let me tell you how.

The marathon ended over an hour ago, but Kinzang Lhamo is still on her feet, plodding along with unyielding determination. Sweaty and exhausted, she’s far from ready to call it a day. As Bhutan’s first-ever Olympic marathon runner, her commitment to crossing the finish line remains unshaken, even though the race has long been over. She could have called it quits as the race already finished, but when you’re carrying your nation’s flag, you see the battle through to the end. And she’s probably seeing it in the Paris Olympics!

Goosebumps— that’s what I felt watching this, and you might too. Kinzang Lhamo, Bhutan’s flag bearer in Paris, truly lived up to her role. As she neared the finish line, the remaining spectators rallied behind her, cheering with every step she took. With just a few kilometers to go, their encouragement was electric, driving her to push through the sweltering heat and the grueling course. And what happened next?

Lhamo crossed the finish line in 80th place, completing the marathon with a time of 3 hours 52 minutes 59 seconds—long after almost 1.5 hours after her competitors had finished. Despite being well behind the rest of the field, her perseverance spoke volumes. She made Bhutan proud even though she came in last but she undoubtedly captured the hearts of many fans who stayed to cheer her on. It was a dramatic finish! But what’s more intriguing is her journey was closely followed on TV, every single minute was followed, and now fans were eager to recognize her dedication and hard work with their heartfelt applause. Now the question that comes who is this outstanding athlete Kinzang Lhamo?

Turning dreams into reality with her determination

Kinzang Lhamo, a 26-year-old athlete who was Bhutan’s flagbearer for the 2024 Olympic Games- Paris Olympics, has come a long way. Last March, she crossed the finish line first at the Bhutan International Marathon in the small town of Punakha. Her resilience was also evident in 2022 when she took second place in the grueling Snowman Race—a 203-kilometer challenge through Bhutan’s mountainous terrain, reaching altitudes of 5,470 meters. This Olympics was her first time on foreign soil and her debut in Europe.

“My first goal is to complete the marathon and then break my own personal record,” she said. “It will be my first time participating in an international competition, and my first time in Europe.” Her best time is 3:26 hours, achieved in Punakha. However, Lhamo’s running journey began after she joined the Royal Bhutan Army in 2020. Although she had no interest in running during her school days, a teacher’s encouragement led her to test the waters, and she soon found her calling.

Today, as she crossed the finish line in 3:52:59—an hour and a half after Hassan’s victory—Kinzang Lhamo achieved a new personal best. This moment is a true highlight in Olympic history, showing that dedication can really pay off. And it did for her!