Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega is the new 10,000 metres Olympics champion.
The 21-year-old Ethiopian, who is making his maiden appearance at the Olympics, stunned Uganda’s pre-race favourite and world champion Joshua Cheptegei to second while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo was third.
Barega clocked 27:43.22 in a stunning sprint finish to take gold while Cheptegei timed 27:43.63 for silver. Kiplimo clocked 27:43.88 for as Barega’s compatriot Barihu Aregawi wound fourth in 27:46.16.
Barega joins a revered list of Ethiopian greats – Miruts Yifter, Haile Gabrselassi and Kenenisa Bekele – who have won the 10,000m Olympics gold.
Kenya’s medal hopeful Roders Kwemoi of Kenya was 7th in 27:50.06.