Kamworor leads Kwemoi to clinch 10,000m Olympic tickets

The 2015 world 10,00m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor and Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist Rodgers Kwemoi have secured tickets in Tokyo Olympics over the distance.

The duo will now lead Kenya’s hunt for the elusive gold medal at the Summer Games which Kenya has not bagged since 1968 Games in Mexico City.

In entertaining final held Friday as the Athletics Kenya trials entered its second day at the Kasarani Stadium, the trio of Kamworor, Kwemoi and World junior champion Rooney Kipruto went for an early lead.

Kipruto would however drop out of the race in the final five laps, leaving Kamworor and Kwemoi to fight for the top honours.

It was Kamworor who got the better of Kwemoi when the crossed the finish line in 27:01.07 as Kwemoi came home second.

“This is the only medal I am missing in my career and Tokyo provides an opportunity for me to attain that. I am very happy especially with the time we achieved today. It shows with a little polishing we can make it in Tokyo,” said Kamworor.

On his part, Kwemoi, the national Cross country champion said he is eyeing a podium finish at the Tokyo Games.

“I’m happy with the result despite the fact that I finished second the most important thing was to qualify for Tokyo Games,” said Kwemoi.

The third athlete who will join the duo will revealed by the selection panel on Saturday.

Olympic silver medallist Paul Tanui and World Under-20 silver medallist Stanley Waithaka did not finish.