Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha saw his hopes of winning the men’s 10,000m title dashed at the finish line as he lost out to little-known Frenchman Jimmy Gressier in a dramatic finale at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.
In a race slowed down by the sweltering conditions, Gressier held back in the chasing pack before producing a stunning late kick down the final straight.
Full Results – Men’s 10,000m Final
- Jimmy Gressier (FRA) – 28:55.77 SB
- Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) – 28:55.83 SB
- Andreas Almgren (SWE) – 28:56.02
- Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui (KEN) – 28:56.48
- Nico Young (USA) – 28:56.62 SB
- Selemon Barega (ETH) – 28:57.21
- Edwin Kurgat (KEN) – 28:57.83
- Grant Fisher (USA) – 28:57.85 SB
- Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) – 28:59.07 SB
- Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) – 28:59.47
- Graham Blanks (USA) – 29:01.27
- Berihu Aregawi (ETH) – 29:02.02
- Dan Kibet (UGA) – 29:03.22
- Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (SUI) – 29:11.65 SB
- Egide Ntakirutimana (BDI) – 29:12.81
- Gulveer Singh (IND) – 29:13.33
- Awet Nftalem Kibrab (NOR) – 29:19.91
- Oscar Chelimo (UGA) – 29:26.66 PB
- Efrem Gidey (IRL) – 29:30.37
- Mebuki Suzuki (JPN) – 29:33.60
- Célestin Ndikumana (BDI) – 29:38.86
- Jun Kasai (JPN) – 29:41.84
The 28-year-old timed his move to perfection, overtaking Kejelcha in the final metres to claim his maiden world title in 28:55.77. The Frenchman’s surge left Kejelcha settling for silver in 28:55.83, while Sweden’s Andreas Almgren secured bronze in 28:56.02.
The victory is a landmark achievement for Gressier, who had never won a major global title before this breakthrough moment. For Kejelcha, who also took silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, the wait for his first 10,000m crown continues. Kenya’s Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui narrowly missed out on the podium after finishing fourth in 28:56.48.
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