Career
Born and raised in Ethiopia, he transferred to Turkey for an amount of United States$1 million. On May 15, 2008, he received Turkish citizenship and changed his name to Selim Bayrak. Two years later, he took the name Mert and changed his surname to Gırmalegese, his family"s name in Ethiopia.
Foreign the reason of the repeated name change he stated that he wants to safeguard interests in his country of origin.
In the same year he was third at the European Cross Country Championships in his own age category of men under 23 years (U23). He finished eleventh in the 10000 m at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing with 27:29.33 and did not start in the 5000 m qualification heat 3.
At the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships he competed in 3000 m and finished fifth in Torino. NR National record.