France’s Gressier wins men’s 10,000m, ending Kenya’s 24-year wait for gold
France's Jimmy Gressier stunned the field with a powerful sprint in the closing metres, winning gold in 28:55.77 — his country's first-ever world title in the event.
Kenya's hopes of ending a 24-year wait for men's 10,000m gold at the World Athletics Championships were dashed on Sunday, as Ishmael Kipkirui, Edwin Kurgat, and Benson Kiplangat fell short in the final in Tokyo.
France's Jimmy Gressier stunned the field with a powerful sprint in the closing metres, winning gold in 28:55.77 — his country's first-ever world title in the event. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha took silver in 28:55.83, while Sweden's Andreas Almgren claimed bronze in 28:56.02.
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"Jimmy Gressier wins a thrilling sprint to the finish line to claim the 10,000m world title in 28:55.77," World Athletics said in a statement on X.
Kipkirui was Kenya's top finisher, crossing fourth in 28:56.48, just outside the medals. Kurgat, tipped as a strong contender, ended seventh in 28:57.83, while Kiplangat dropped out with six laps to go due to fatigue.
The Kenyans stayed with the leaders for most of the race, which remained crowded and tactical until the final 600 metres. Ethiopia's Selemon Barega attempted to break away at the bell, but Gressier's closing speed proved unstoppable.
Kenya had entered the race with renewed hope following the absence of Uganda's defending champion, Joshua Cheptegei, who has since switched to the marathon. Yet, the result extended Kenya's medal drought in the event.
Many had expected the Kenyan trio to seize the opportunity, but the tactical nature of the race and a sharp late surge from rivals left them once again empty-handed.
The outcome deepened the frustration of a long-standing drought. Kenya has won only three world titles in the men's 10,000m: Paul Kipkoech in 1987, Moses Tanui in 1991, and Charles Kamathi in 2001.
Since Kamathi's triumph 24 years ago, Ethiopians and Ugandans have dominated the distance, with Kenya repeatedly falling short despite producing some of the world's finest long-distance runners.
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