Geoffrey Kamworor, Bedan Karoki pull out as Paul Tanui wins 10,000m

IN ELDORET

Two-time World 10,000 bronze medallist Paul Tanui on Friday won the men's 10,000m race at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Eldoret, to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.

Tanui clocked 27:46.15, beating Africa Cross Country bronze medallist Charles Yosei, who also qualified in 27:57.07.

However, there was drama during the race as World 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor, who is also the World Half Marathon and World Cross Country champion, withdrew with three laps to go after he experienced stomach pains.

Also to withdraw with 16 laps to go was World Cross Country and World Half Marathon silver medallist Bedan Karoki.

KAROKI OUT

Karoki has been nursing hamstring and tendon injuries he sustained in March after winning the World Half silver medal. However, it's Kamworor who will get the wild card in the race where they are expected to face defending champion Mo Farah.

“It's such a good feeling to qualify for the Olympics for the first time," said Japan base Tanui. "We should now focus on coming up with the strategy that will beat Farah and the Ethiopians," said Tanui, who finished third at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships.

"It's such a surprise for me considering the rich field I was running against," said Tanui.

Athletics Kenya was due to announce Kamworor's wild card on Friday. Kamworor told Daily Nation Sport that he is hopeful he will be ready for his Olympic debut. "I started to feel some pain in the stomach and I could not continue," said Kamworor.

Africa 400m hurdles silver medallist Maureen Jelagat clocked 57.35, beating Jane Chege 59.75, to qualify for her second Olympics.

Jelagat is the only woman qualifier, having attained the Olympics qualifying time of 56.00 during the Africa Championships in South Africa last weekend.