Athletics: Geoffrey Kamworor books Tokyo 2020 spot in 10,000m by winning at Kenyan trials

Two-time New York Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor will lead the Kenyan men's long-distance track team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021 after winning the men's 10,000m at the Kenyan trials near Nairobi on Friday (18 June).

The 2015 World championships silver medallist in the event clocked 27:01.06, 27 seconds under the qualifying standard, to win in Kasarani, north-east of the Kenyan capital.

Kamworor revealed afterwards that he had spoken to marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge beforehand, who set him the goal of qualifying.

According to Athletics Kenya, he said: "I needed a statement victory because I have had several challenges in the past one year. Our mentor Eliud Kipchoge was here, he had challenged us to make the team so that we can go to Tokyo together."

Rodgers Kwemoi took the second guaranteed berth after Rhonex Kipruto, the road 10 km world record holder and world bronze medallist from 2019, dropped out of the race with around four laps to go.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi will be in Tokyo for another go at the women's 3,000m steeplechase gold medal after winning a close final at trials.

"It was a nice race," she said afterwards.

"Our hope is to get to the Olympics in good health. We expect stiff competition. We still have a lot to work on as we head to Tokyo."

Also qualifying for Tokyo 2020 on the second day of the trials was men's 20 km race walker Samuel Gathimba, the two-time African champion.