Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei defied a relentless onslaught from the Ethiopian team to clinch the gold medal in the men’s 10,000 meters at the Paris Olympics on Friday.

The three-time world champion delivered a stunning performance, clocking an Olympic record time of 26 minutes and 43.14 seconds to secure victory. His triumph marks a historic moment for Ugandan athletics, adding to his already impressive collection of accolades.

Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi narrowly edged out American Grant Fisher to claim silver, with a time of 26:43.44.

Cheptegei, who previously won silver at the Tokyo Olympics and gold in the 5,000 meters, exhibited exceptional tactical prowess and endurance. His devastating final 600-meter push proved decisive, as he shattered Kenenisa Bekele’s 2008 Olympic record by a significant margin of 18 seconds.

The race unfolded as a tactical battle between the Ethiopians, who employed a front-running strategy to dictate the pace. However, Cheptegei, along with a select group of contenders, managed to stay within striking distance throughout the grueling contest.

With one lap to go, Cheptegei made his decisive move, surging ahead of the pack and holding off a determined challenge from the chasing pack to secure the coveted gold medal.

The Ugandan’s victory not only solidifies his status as one of the world’s greatest distance runners but also inspires a new generation of athletes in his home country.

  Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei