Wilson Kiprop takes Gold for Kenya in 10,000 at Africans

NAIROBI — Hosts Kenya claimed the first gold in the African Athletics championships on Wednesday when Wilson Kiprop held off Uganda's Moses Kipsiro to win the men's 10,000 metres.
Kiprop, the national record holder, moved into the lead on the final bend after taking over from his tiring compatriot Geoffrey Mutai to claim the title in 27min 32.91sec.

The race had been billed as a contest between Kenya and Ethiopia, but it failed to live to its expectations after the Ethiopia challenge of Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Sileshi Sihine and Teklemariam Medhin faded away after 15 laps as three Kenyans, led by Kiprop, opened up the race.
But Kipsiro, a former world 5,000m bronze medallist, stuck with the Kenyans to the end and was rewarded with the silver medal.

"This was not my race. But because it was a long distance event, I decided to stay with the Kenyans and try my luck and the strategy worked," said Kipsiro.
The Ugandan was timed at 27:33.37 with Mutai third in 27:33.83. Another Kenyan, Mathew Kisorio (27:56.71) was placed fourth.