Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei won his third consecutive 10,000m world title on Sunday in Budapest, ahead of Kenyan Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Ethiopian Olympic champion Selemon Barega.
Cheptegei (26), world record holder for the distance, accelerated sharply on the last lap to break away from his competitors and cross the line in 27 min 51 sec 42, after the 25 laps disputed in a stifling and humid heat (32°C). He managed to overcome an injury which, at the end of 2022, deprived him of several months of training.
With three titles over 10,000m, he extends his dynasty as the Briton Mo Farah did (between 2013 and 2017). Ethiopians Haile Gebrselassie (between 1993 and 1999) and Kenenisa Bekele (between 2003 and 2009) had won four gold medals in a row.
Cheptegei, also Olympic champion in the 5,000m, will compete in his first marathon in December in Valencia (Spain). He plans to focus on the 42.195 km after the Paris Olympics in 2024.
