Ugandan runs smart race as his Ethiopian rivals run out of gas, while Grant Fisher claims brilliant bronze for the United States

Joshua Cheptegei won a pulsating 10,000m title on the opening night of athletics at the Stade de France. Making his move with 500m to go, the Ugandan stormed home in an Olympic record of 26:43.14. Hot on his heels, Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia took silver in 26:43.44 as Grant Fisher earned bronze for the United States in 26:43.46.

The race was made by Ethiopians but won by a Ugandan with Aregawi, Yomif Kejelcha and defending champion Selemon Barega swapping the lead throughout as they continually took turns to surge to the front.

It turned the race into an exciting spectacle but Cheptegei and Fisher in particular played a smarter game, sitting in behind, hugging the kerb and avoiding any unnecessary bursts of pace.

To add insult to injury, not only did Ethiopia lose its Olympic title but the Olympic record held by Kenenisa Bekele of 27:01.47 also fell as the first 13 men home beat his 2008 mark. Perhaps the veteran runner will gain some revenge for his country in the marathon in a few days time.

This was not simply a battle between Uganda, Ethiopia and Fisher, though. Mo Ahmed of Canada ran a superb race to finish fourth in 26:43.79 as he missed out on a podium place by less than half a second.

Bernard Kibet and Daniel Mateiko of Kenya placed fifth and 11^th respectively.

Kejelcha and Barega wound up sixth and seventh. Both have fast finishes, especially the world indoor mile record-holder Kejelcha, so why they felt the urge to push the pace so erratically in the opening stages is a mystery.

In ninth and 10^th, Thierry Ndikumwenayo set a Spanish record of 26:49.49 and Adriaan Wildschutt ran a South African record of 26:50.64.

A word of praise, too, for Nico Young, as the 21-year-old American hung in gamely at the tail-end of the lead pack until the very latter stages and was rewarded with a sub-27-minute time of 26:58.11, just ahead of Jimmy Gressier, who punched the air as he crossed the line in 13^th in a French record of 26:58.67.

The crowd in the Stade de France appreciated his efforts, too, with both Gressier and fellow countryman Yann Schrub getting huge cheers during the race, although Schrub dropped out at halfway.

I am so excited. It took a lot of courage, said Cheptegei. Its really amazing, this one was still missing. Three times world champion, now I can add the Olympic title to this. This one is for my family. Success is not only for me but for my family, my coach, my management. The whole team around me. I couldnt have done it without them.

The Ethiopians set their stall out in the early stages with Barega leading through 1000m, Kejelcha through 2000m and Aregawi through 3000m in 8:02.00, with the field already strung out.

As sunset fell on the French capital, Aregawi led through halfway in 13:23.07 from Kejelcha and Fisher. Others were suffering, though, with Woody Kincaid among those dropped at this stage, although the American hung on bravely to finish 16^th in 27:29.40.

With six laps to go there were still 13 men in contention as Ahmed began to make his presence known at the front. Lapped runners started to add to the fun, too, but the Ethiopians were relentless and Aregawi led with two laps remaining.

The big move came around the crown of the bend with 500m left, though, as Cheptegei, the three-time world 10,000m gold medallist and reigning Olympic 5000m champion, moved out wide and bolted to the front.

From then on he ran like a man possessed, storming around the final circuit in 55 seconds as he held off the fast finishing Aregawi and an inspired Fisher.

Soon after the music I will survive blasted out around the Stade to France. It was quite appropriate. Cheptegei had survived everything his east African rivals could throw at him and he emerged with the ultimate prize.

In the mens shot put qualifying round, reigning champion Ryan Crouser eased through, but European champion Leonardo Fabbri was relieved to nail a last-round throw to progress, while Britains Scott Lincoln went out.

Crouser of the United States threw 21.49m with his first effort to seal qualification. The world record-holder, who is going for his third consecutive Olympic crown, did not have the biggest throw of the night, though, as that went to Fabbri but only with a last-gasp effort after a 20.44m first-round throw and foul in round two before unleashing a 21.76m.

Lincoln was also not at his best as the multiple British champion fouled his first two tries before a 19.69m final throw.

Pretty shocking, it was a bad day in the office, said Lincoln. The first two [throws] at warm-up were pretty good, but I went into the first round and fouled out the front. I went into the next round, and it was over 20m but not very good and I fouled again. Then I was on the back foot trying to get a throw in but trying to nail my technical cues.

I felt more at ease in the last round going in. It was kind of weird but it kind of hurts right now.

I am going to debrief with my coach and dust myself off and get ready for the end of my season now. At this moment in time its a bit doom and gloom. Unfortunately, its just one of those days. We dont plan to come out and do this badly.

As an athlete it is difficult, it is a fine line between being the hero and being the zero and today were at the zero. It is what it is.

Leo Neugebauer leads the decathlon overnight with the German finishing the first day with a score of 4650.

Ayden Owens-Delerme of Puerto Rico stands second with 4608 and Sander Skotheim of Norway third with 4588.

Damian Warner, the reigning Olympic champion from Canada, is fourth with 4561 and Johannes Erm, the European champion from Estonia, fifth with 4510.

Neugebauer won the NCAA title earlier this year and in Paris he began with 100m in 10.67 (1.3) followed by a long jump of 7.98m, shot put of 16.55m, high jump of 2.05m and 400m of 47.70.