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Jimmy Gressier Makes History with Historic 10,000m Win

9/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

Jimmy Gressier of France won the men's 10,000m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 14, 2025, with a time of 28:55.77, the slowest winning time in history.
He became the first non-African-born man to win this title in 41 years.
Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia placed second, while Sweden's Andreas Almgren secured bronze.
Canadian runner Moh Ahmed withdrew due to a calf injury.
Gressier attributed his win to strategic training adjustments and mental focus, despite warm and humid race conditions.

History

Historical Context

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics marked a turning point for distance running, with Kenyan John Ngugi winning the men's 10,000m, heralding East Africa's dominance in the sport. This trend continued for 41 years until Jimmy Gressier's 2025 victory in Tokyo, the slowest in history, signaling a shift in competitive dynamics and potentially encouraging broader participation in elite distance events.

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Story summary

Jimmy Gressier of France won the men's 10,000m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 14, 2025, with a time of 28:55.77, the slowest winning time in history.
He became the first non-African-born man to win this title in 41 years.
Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia placed second, while Sweden's Andreas Almgren secured bronze.
Canadian runner Moh Ahmed withdrew due to a calf injury.
Gressier attributed his win to strategic training adjustments and mental focus, despite warm and humid race conditions.

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