Manangoi leads Cheruiyot in 1-2 sweep of medals in Asaba
Kenya's Elijah Manangoi celebrates with the flag after winning the men's 1,5000m final in the Africa Athletics Championships at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on August 5, 2018. PHOTO | ELIAS MAKORI |
What you need to know:
- Manangoi kicked with about 300m to go and pulled his partner Cheruiyot, who has the world lead time this season, together with him to triumph.
IN ASABA, NIGERIA
World and Commonwealth games champion Elijah Manangoi led training mate Timothy Cheruiyot in a 1-2 finish for Kenya in the men's 1,500m final in the 21st African Athletics Championships at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Manangoi kicked with about 300m to go and pulled his partner Cheruiyot, who has the world lead time this season, together with him to triumph.
The men’s 1,500m was always going to be a thriller with world champion Manang’oi taking the continental title and his training mate at the Bernard Ouma-coached Rongai Athletics Club Timothy Cheruiyot silver.
“I told you, it was going to be a 1-2 for Rongai Athletics Club,” said Manang’oi, also the Commonwealth champion.
“I was boxed in at the bell but this was a race we had planned so well because Timothy pushed to create the gap for me to get out and then I pushed. I always knew it was gonna be between me and Timothy.”
Cheruiyot was satisfied with the results.
“We knew Rongai Athletics Club would deliver, and now the focus will be on the final round of the 1,500m at the Zurich Diamond League meeting,” he said.
