In May 2002 he gained US nationality, he entered for the 2004 United States Olympic Trials (track and field), although he finished third he didn't have the Olympic "A" standard time to qualify. In the 2008 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) he was in a good position going into the final turn before being bumped off the track thus losing his rhythm and finishing in fourth place. Asmerom went to McAteer high school in San Francisco, graduated from UC Berkeley, and now lives in Oakland, CA.