Cheptegei takes Uganda’s first gold on opening day of Gold Coast… – AthleticsAfrica
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Uganda

Cheptegei takes Uganda’s first gold on opening day of Gold Coast 2018 Athletics

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei sprinted clear to clinch the first track Commonwealth Games Athletics gold of Gold Coast 2018 in the men’s 5,000m at the Carrara stadium on Sunday.

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei sprinted clear to take the first track Commonwealth Games Athletics gold of Gold Coast 2018 in the men's 5,000m at the Carrara stadium in the Gold Coast on Sunday. / Photo: Getty Images
Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei sprinted clear to take the first track Commonwealth Games Athletics gold of Gold Coast 2018 in the men's 5,000m at the Carrara stadium in the Gold Coast on Sunday. / Photo: Getty Images

Uganda’s Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei sprinted clear to clinch the first track Commonwealth Games Athletics gold of Gold Coast 2018 in the men’s 5,000m at the Carrara stadium on Sunday.

Joshua Cheptegei, who clocked 12:59.83 to grab a silver medal over the 12-and-a-half-lap distance at the IAAF World Championships in London in 2017 was a class act throughout the race, stopping the clock in 13:50.83.

Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed claimed the silver medal in 13:52.78 while Edward Pingua Zakayo of Kenya took the bronze medal in 13:54.06.

Cheptegei succeeds Moses Kipsiro, winner of the distance double in Delhi eight years ago and of the 10,000m in Glasgow, as an irritating thorn in the side of Kenyan ambitions.

Other Events

Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, the 2011 IAAF World Championship gold medallist, won the men’s 100m semi-final in 10.06 to consolidate his position as the gold medal favourite.

Four Africans led by South African’s Akani Simbine, and his compatriot Henricho Bruintjies, Nigerians Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke are also through to the men’s final.

England’s Asha Philip won the first women’s 100m semi-final in 11.21. Michell-Lee Ahye of Trinidad took the second in 11.25, and Christania Williams the third in 11.22.

Earlier in the morning, Australian race walker Dane Bird-Smith turned the streets of Currumbin gold on his way to victory in the men’s 20km Race Walk.

In a very close race, Bird-Smith took the lead with the finish line in sight, finishing just four seconds ahead of England’s Tom Bosworth and securing the gold in a Commonwealth Games record time of 1:19.34.

Kenya’s Samuel Ireri Gathimba won bronze, Kenya’s first-ever Commonwealth Games race walking medal.

“I’m very proud. It was very tough but I did my best,” he said. “My technique was good, and I love road walking. This medal will be good for Kenyan race walking.”

His next focus, he says, is to win the African Senior Championships in Asaba, Nigeria in August. “Other than that, I’m not really sure yet about the future,” Gathimba added.

Meet The Authors

athleticsafrica
The Editorial Board at AthleticsAfrica | Website | + Posts

Meet AthleticsAfrica team of editors and contributors || Follow us on Twitter/X  and TikTok / Share our stories on Facebook and Instagram / Connect with us LinkedIn and YouTube.

You May Also Like

Features and Reports

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei finally secured Olympic gold in the men’s 10,000m event, breaking a 16-year-old Olympic record after a fierce competition with Ethiopian top...

Uganda

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei smashes the Olympic 10,000m record to win the first track and field final of the Paris 2024 Games.

Kenya

Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich smashed the women-only world 10km record at the Trunsylvania 10km, clocking 29:24 at the World Athletics Elite Label road race held...

Uganda

Uganda’s world record holder Joshua Cheptegei delivers a tactical masterclass to win a second successive world 10,000 metres gold - with compatriot Jacob Kiplimo...

Click to access the login or register cheese