Kenya’s Rodgers Chumo Kwemoi unleashed a 57-second last lap to win the men’s 10000m title in a championship record of 27:25.23 at the 2016 World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Tuesday.
Eritrea’s Aron Kifle settled for silver in an Eritrean U20 record of 27:26.20 after making several mid-race surges, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo took the bronze in a personal best time of 27:26.68.
Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn ran a PB of 28:00.14 to finish fourth ahead of countryman Gizachew Hailu, who also set a lifetime best in fifth with 28:09.57.
Kenyan Ronald Kiprotich Kirui faded out of contention in the final kilometres and finished sixth in 28:13.43.
“I came here expecting to win,” said Chumo Kwemoi. “I took the race out fast because I felt that would give me the best chance. Once we were on the last lap, I knew I would take it.”
Ethiopia’s Beletew sets African medals path
Meanwhile Ethiopia’s Yehualeye Beletew won Africa’s first medal, a Bronze medal, on the track at the IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016 on Tuesday.
The gold medal was won by China’s Ma Zhenxia, the 2014 Youth Olympic champion and the world U18 champion from Cali in 2015, by six seconds in a world-U20-leading 45:18.45.
Italy’s Noemi Stella crossed the line in a season’s best of 45:23.85 for silver, while Beletew took bronze with an African U20 record of 45:33.69.
Just twelve months after compatriot Ayalnesh Dejene earned bronze at the IAAF World Youth Championships Cali 2015, Beletew doubled Ethiopia’s tally of global race walking medals.
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