Abdi's first race earned him a bronze medal, solidifying his decision to pursue athletics. He currently represents the NN Running Team based in the Netherlands. Since 2018, Gary Lough from Northern Ireland has been his personal coach. Lough has been a significant influence on Abdi's career.

Abdi has faced several injuries throughout his career. In 2017, he suffered a knee injury. In October 2015, he injured his hip at a recovery camp in Ethiopia but resumed training by December. Before the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, he injured his hamstring and missed the event.

In 2014, during the European Championships in Zurich, Abdi injured a tendon in his foot during the 10,000m event. Despite this, he competed in the 5000m but had to take a week off post-championships. An attempt to return in September led to cancelling his winter cross-country season due to the injury.

Awards and Ambitions

In 2019, Abdi received the Golden Spike award as Male Belgian Athlete of the Year from the Royal Belgian Athletics Federation. Looking ahead, he aims to win a medal at the Olympic Games or world championships.

From Somalia to Belgium

Born in Somalia, Abdi moved with his family to Djibouti at age eight. His mother relocated to Belgium for work and wanted the family to join her. Due to the absence of a Belgian embassy in Djibouti, they moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a year and a half before joining her in Belgium.

Abdi recalls their emotional reunion at Zaventem airport in Belgium. "The reunion was very emotional. I will never forget how we got to Zaventem [Belgium] in the evening. We were all crying. Everything was new to me," he said.

Charity Work

Abdi co-founded and serves as vice-chairman of Sportaround, a non-profit organisation that arranges after-school sporting activities for disadvantaged children in Ghent. "I have experienced that myself; I know how difficult it is for some children to exercise," he said.

"Belgium has given me a lot and I would like to give something back. If I hadn't had all those opportunities in Belgium, I wouldn't be here for you today," Abdi added. He aims to provide motivation for young people who arrived in Belgium under similar circumstances.