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Kenya’s rich harvest on penultimate day of ‘Club Games’


Kenya seems to have saved the best for last at the Commonwealth Games following a medal laden penultimate day at the competition in Gold Coast Australia.

Early on Saturday morning, Kenya sealed a 1-2 finish in the women’s 5,000m and men’s 1,500m final races at the Carrara Stadium.

World champion Hellen Obiri set the tone for day by leading compatriot Margaret Kipkemboi to gold and silver in the women’s 5,000m race.

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri (right) celebrates with Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi after winning gold and silver medals respectively in the women's 5,000m final at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Carrara Stadium. AFP PHOTO
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri (right) celebrates with Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi after winning gold and silver medals respectively in the women’s 5,000m final at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Carrara Stadium. AFP PHOTO

Moments later, another World Champion, Elijah Manangoi, finished ahead of compatriot Timothy Cheruiyot for yet another gold and silver for Kenya.

Obiri, who is also the Olympic silver medallist over the distance, clocked 15:13.11 with Kipkemboi second in 15:15.28. England’s 1500m specialist Laura Weightman timed 15:25.84 for bronze as Uganda’s Juliet Chekwel coming fourth in a season best of 15:30.17.

1-2 SWEEP

The other Kenyan in the race Eva Cherono was seventh but managed a new personal best of 15:36.10.

The men’s 1,500m final was a replica of the World Championships in London, where the two Kenyan completed a 1-2 sweep of the medals after leading from the start.

Manangoi-Cheruiyot
Kenya’s Elijah Manangoi wins the men’s 1500m final ahead of compatriot Timothy Cheruiyot during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium. AFP PHOTO

Manangoi, Team Kenya’s captain at the Games, was under immense pressure to deliver the gold and he made no mistake.

Interestingly, the 1500m final was the final individual track event for the 2018 ‘Club’ Games and Manangoi brought the curtains down in style after clocking 3:34.78, with Cheruiyot trailing in 3:35.17.

Scotland’s Jake Wightman was third in 3:35.97 as the last Kenyan in the race, World Junior Champion Kumari Taki, finished seventh in 3:38.74.