Kenya dominates track in Glasgow
Faith Chepngetich Kibiegon (centre) celebrates winning the 1500m athletics event with Hellen Onsando Obiri (left) and Selah Busienei. Obiri and Busienei finished out of the medals bracket in the event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 29, 2014. AFP PHOTO | BEN STANSALL
What you need to know:
- The Kenyan trio were in complete control of the race from the off
- Kenya's Olympic champion David Rudisha also cruised into the semi-finals of the men's 800m
GLASGOW
Kenya had a night to remember on the third day of Commonwealth Games action Tuesday after reaping a haul of medals.
Joyce Chepkirui led a Kenyan 1-2-3 in a slow-paced 10,000m, while Faith Kibiegon claimed gold in the women's 1500m as favoured teammate Hellen Onsando Obiri faded badly.
"I'm so, so happy it was Kenya for one, two and three," said Chepkirui, who led home Florence Kiplagat and Emily Chebet in 32min 09.35sec after a powerful surge 50 metres from the line.
The Kenyan trio were in complete control of the race from the off and waited until the field had strung out and the bell sounded for the final lap before making any moves.
It was Kiplagat who led the threesome into the last 400m, eyes glued on the stadium's big screen. At 200 metres she bolted, but Chepkirui responded on the inside and nipped her by seven hundredths of a second.
"It was so close near the end, but I knew my body was in good shape," said Chepkirui. "I'm happy I could win at my first Commonwealth Games."
Kenya's Olympic champion David Rudisha also cruised into the semi-finals of the men's 800m, the world record holder setting the fastest qualifying time of 1:46.89.
"I'm very happy to be here. I only started training in March. It's been a tough year and I know I'm going to struggle, but my focus is next year," said Rudisha, whose staggering 800m run in just shy of 101 seconds was the standout performance on the track at the 2012 London Olympics.
