Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha won silver in a tactical men’s 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, clocking 28:55.83 as the only African on the podium.

France’s Jimmy Gressier edged past Kejelcha in the final metres to take gold in 28:55.77, becoming the first Frenchman to win the title and the first non-African-born champion since 1983. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren claimed bronze in 28:56.02, marking the first time since 1987 that two Europeans shared the podium, according to World Athletics.

The slow pace kept 15 athletes in contention at the bell, before Ethiopia’s trio of Selemon Barega, Kejelcha and Berihu Aregawi surged forward. Kejelcha led into the home straight, but Gressier timed his finish perfectly to snatch victory in the slowest winning time in championships history.