He returned at the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but was far from his top form and finished in 41st place. His performance at the 2008 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships marked a return to fitness as he took seventh place. He won the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race in 2008 and his course record breaking performance earned him US$50,000 (the greatest prize available for a mountain race). Dinkesa took a victory over major rivals at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in January the following year, beating Zersenay Tadese and Eliud Kipchoge to the finish. He missed out on qualification for that year's Cross Country Championships but he did gain selection for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. He competed in the 10,000 m, but he failed to finish the race. He finished third at the Obudu Race in December, which was also the first African Mountain Running Championships. He won the African title in 2010, holding off a challenge from Habtamu Fikadu.