Mohammed Atawi is a Spanish runner who specializes in the 800m-1500m. “Moho”. famously holds the Spanish national record for 800 meters at 1’42.05.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Mohammed finished fifth in a very tough 800m final. In Tokyo 2025, Mohammed finished fifth, once again in a very tough 800m final at the World Championships. Both times were in the low 1;42s, which is, well, crazy running.
“I started running late, I was sixteen when I started running,” Moho told me on Thursday, February 5, at an indoor meeting in Madrid. “I loved cross country, and then I ran every week, over 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters. 800 meters.”
Mohammed is happy with his form now. I ran PBs in the indoor 1500m (3:35.65 Jan 17, Antequero, Spain) and 800m (1:44.98 Feb 1st Millrose Games).
Moho, who competes for Europe’s On Athletic Club, is focused on the 2:14.20 1000m short course record set twelve years ago by Anyale Souliman of Djibouti.
Mohammed Atawi, Espana, will attempt the world’s best short track 1000m (2:14.20, Ayanleh Souliman, DJI). Moho ran pbs 1500m indoor and 800m indoor.
🎥 @larryeder1958 #AthleticClub, #DreamOn, pic.twitter.com/v5DrQW0Amf
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) February 6, 2026
Moho has an outdoor PB over 1000 meters of 2:12.25 NR set on 2 September 2025 in Trier, Germany.
Mohammed Atawi speaks thoughtfully, confidently. Born in Morocco, Moho lived in Spain from the age of six. “I love the fans in Madrid and this track. I want to run fast here and I’ll be ready.”
The Spaniard has a smile on his face as he patiently discusses his racing, the realization that he can be an elite athlete and his focus on being the best in this world.
Mohammed Atawi is full of running. He has enjoyed running from the 1500 meters to the 5000 meters since his first attempt at running. The excitement of a sixteen-year-old has been replaced by the focus and thoughtfulness of a world-class middle distance runner.
Be sure to watch Meeting Indoor Madrid 2026 starting at 7pm local time on Calle De Gallur in Madrid, Spain.
Mohammed Atawi has a real following in Madrid. The media was all around him, seven or eight interviews with the writer. Moho was prompt, thoughtful and fluent in Spanish and English. I appreciated his English the most.
Moho will be ready to race. RunBlogRun will be there to witness the record attempt and enjoy the meet, our first visit to Madrid since 2019.
See you soon.
What race experience let you know you could be an elite athlete? Mohammed Ataoui, España, “I started running late, I was sixteen, then I ran cross country, and then 1500m, 3000m and 5000m, I ran week after week.”
Video by Larry Eder #Mohamed Atawi, #OnAthlericClub,… pic.twitter.com/dcnpZtPgaR
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) February 6, 2026
