Kiprop wins Kenya's first gold medal at African Senior Athletics

Kenya won their first gold medal at the African Senior Athletics Championship on Wednesday as Wilson Kiprop broke a six year jinx to claim the men's 10,000-meter title against a strong late challenge from Moses Kipsiro of Uganda.

Kiprop, a star in the Kenyan long distance races, timed 27:32.91 to win the title, while Ugandan Kipsiro finished second in 27:33.37. Geoffrey Mutai of Kanya settled for bronze in 27:33.83.

Kipsiro denied a Kenyan clean sweep as he squeezed between the winner and Mutai in the last 50 metres.

Ethiopia's Sihine Sileshi, who had initially kept abreast with the front runners, faded into oblivion with nine laps to go.

"It really feels nice to win at home. The race was tough and that meant that we had to plan on how to tackle the other athletes. It worked and we were aiming for the clean sweep, but Kipsiro was eventually strong to deny us. But winning at home is great," said Kiprop.

He enters the history books as the first Kenyan to win gold in the championship staged at home and now the focus will be on the other races as the Kenya seeks to claim the overall title which has been elusive in the 31 year history of the championship.

Source: Xinhua