Olympics: Ethiopian Athlete Selemon Barega Wins Men’s 10,000m Gold
Selemon Barega of Ethiopia won the men’s 10,000 metres gold medal after defeating world champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
The 21-year-old 5,000m champion had held back for much of the 25-lap race before he shifted gears on the last bend, overtaking world record-holder and world champion, Cheptegei, to cross the line in 27:43.22.
It was an all-African podium finish with Cheptegei close on his heels in 27:43.63 and his teammate and world half marathon champion, Jacob Kiplimo, right behind on 27:43.88.
The Ethiopian delegation at the Olympic stadium applauded him as he smiled broadly and ran a victory lap with his country’s flag draped around his shoulders.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
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