Ethiopian Jemal Yimer Mekonnen won the men’s 10,000m title to claim the first gold medal of the 21st CAA African Senior Championships in Athletics in Asaba, Nigeria – Asaba 2018 – on Wednesday.
Kicking away from a lead group of four with just over half a lap to go, Yimer, who took his time in the early stages, crossed the line, arms held wide, in 29:08.01.
“This wasn’t easy,” said Yimer, who was fourth at these championships two years ago and fifth over the distance at the World Championships last year. “There was a lot of competition from my teammates and the humidity made it difficult.”
The 21-year-old Yimer was fourth at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia early this year.
![Ethiopian Jemal Yimer Mekonnen wins the men's 10,000m title to claim the first gold medal of Asaba 2018 CAA African Senior Championships / Photo Credit: Yomi Omogbeja](https://cdn-ataf.athletics-africa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/yimer-sebcoe-asaba2018.jpg)
Ethiopian Jemal Yimer Mekonnen wins the men’s 10,000m title to claim the first gold medal of Asaba 2018 CAA African Senior Championships / Photo Credit: Yomi Omogbeja
Yimer’s teammate Andamlak Belihu Berta, 19, who was tenth at the IAAF World Championships in London last year, held off Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich to secure an Ethiopian 1-2 on the podium.
Belihu clocked 29:11.09 for silver while Toroitoch took the bronze in 29:11.87. Kenyan Vincent Kipsang ended in fourth in 29:14.52, 11 seconds ahead of compatriot Kipsang Temoi, who finished fifth.