Barega top as Kenya’s 10,000m long wait for Olympic title continues

Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega won the 10,000m title as track and field event kicked off today at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan.

Barenga, the world under 18 5,000m champion clocked 27:43.22 for the title ahead of world champion Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda who won silver in 27:43.63 ahead of compatriot Jacob Kiplimo in third position timing 27:43.88.

Kenya’s best finisher was Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medalist Rodgers Kwemoi who was in 7th position timing 27:50.06 while world 10,000m bronze medalist Rhenex Kipruto was in 9th position after timing 27:52.78.

The long wait for Kenya to win the 10,000m will wait for another 56 years after the late Naftali Temu won the title in 1968.