Stephen Mokoka was pleased after he delivered the best championship time of his career in the 10000m at the Rio Olympics on Saturday.
The African champion clocked 27min 54.57sec to finish 18th behind defending champion Mo Farah (27:05.17).
He was nearly 50 seconds off the pace, but still it was a vast improvement on his world championship efforts where he was even lapped.
"I'm happy about my time because I ran my first 27 minutes in championships.
"After four years of championships I managed to break 28 minutes so I'm very happy with it," said Mokoka, who achieved his 27:40.73 PB in Port Elizabeth in 2012.
"I can say this was the best race of my life . this time they were 200m away from me when they finished," said Mokoka.
Mokoka said he was unable to push when the break came midway through the race. "It was a slog," he admitted. "After 5km for me that surge was very difficult, I couldn't go with it.
"I think Mo is strong in the mind and it is his time, and his strategy is very strong as well."
Mokoka, who also qualified for the marathon, was criticised for opting not to run the longer race. He insisted at the time he had a chance of making the 10000m podium, but yesterday he sang a different tune.
"I just do them [10000m races] for speed."
Mokoka pleased with his time
Stephen Mokoka was pleased after he delivered the best championship time of his career in the 10000m at the Rio Olympics on Saturday.
The African champion clocked 27min 54.57sec to finish 18th behind defending champion Mo Farah (27:05.17).
He was nearly 50 seconds off the pace, but still it was a vast improvement on his world championship efforts where he was even lapped.
"I'm happy about my time because I ran my first 27 minutes in championships.
"After four years of championships I managed to break 28 minutes so I'm very happy with it," said Mokoka, who achieved his 27:40.73 PB in Port Elizabeth in 2012.
"I can say this was the best race of my life . this time they were 200m away from me when they finished," said Mokoka.
Mokoka said he was unable to push when the break came midway through the race. "It was a slog," he admitted. "After 5km for me that surge was very difficult, I couldn't go with it.
"I think Mo is strong in the mind and it is his time, and his strategy is very strong as well."
Mokoka, who also qualified for the marathon, was criticised for opting not to run the longer race. He insisted at the time he had a chance of making the 10000m podium, but yesterday he sang a different tune.
"I just do them [10000m races] for speed."
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