Golden Saturday as Cherono, Magut and Yego claim glory

African champion Julius Yego capped a glorious day for Kenya when he won gold on the final day of the athletics programme at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Saturday night.

Kenya won five medals on Saturday - including three golds and two silvers. World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono and 2010 Delhi Games 1,500m silver medallist James Magut had earlier won gold medals in their respective events.

Yego, who finished fourth at the World Championships in August last year, finished the job in his third throw of 83.87m, beating Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago 82.67 and Mahish Peacock (Australia) 81.75.

LIVED UP TO HER PROMISE

Cherono, the two-time World junior 3,000m champion, lived up to her promise when she won in 15:07.21 as she led her teammate Janet Kisa to a 1-2 finish. Kisa clocked 15:08.90 for silver as Briton JO Pavey denied Margaret Wangare bronze to sneak in third in 15:08.96.

“I just wanted to be on the podium and I just did that with victory and I thank God for that,” said Cherono.

“I wasn’t worried about Pavey, who was ahead of us since I knew I was strong and my body was responding well despite the rains.”

CONTROLLED THE PACE

The Kenyans controlled the race with both going through ahead after the bell but they would fall back when Pavey hit the front. That happened briefly as Cherono and Kisa took charge just before the homestraight to power all the way as Wangare’s legs failed for Pavey to go for bronze.

Cherono, who came into the event in tip top form after winning two Diamond League events in New York and Lausanne, said she will be going for a brace at the Africa Championships next week in Morocco.

Magut improved on his Delhi performance when he rallied from four places behind after the homestretch to win in 3:39.31, while teammate Ronald Kwemoi claimed the silver in 3:39.53.

Nick Willis from New Zealand won bronze in 3:39.60 as another Kenyan Elijah Manangoi, who went into the race with a hamstring injury, finished last in 3:45.47.

“I wasn’t surprised because I had planned my race well even with the rest going ahead at homestretch,” said Magut, who is now eyeing the African title next week.

KENYA'S PERFORMANCE

MEN

Gold: Caleb Mwangangi (5,000m), Jonathan Muia (3,000m steeplechase), James Magut (1,500m).

Silver: David Rudisha (800m), Isaiah Kiplangat Koech (5,000m), Emmanuel Kipkemei Bett (10,000m), Jairus Birech (3000 metres steeplechase), Stephen Chemlany (Marathon), Ronald Kwemoi (1500m).

Bronze: Ezekiel Kemboi (3000m steeplechase), Benson Gicharu (boxing-bantamweight).

WOMEN

Gold: Eunice Sum (800m), Faith Chepng'etich |(1,500m), Joyce Chepkirui (10,000m), Purity Kirui (3,000m steeplechase); Philomena Cheyech (Marathon), Mercy Cherono (5,000m).

Silver :Florence Kiplagat (10,000m), Milcah Chemos (3,000m steeplechase), Caroline Kilel (Marathon), Janet Kisa (5,000).

Bronze: Emily Chebet (10,000m), Joan Kipkemoi (3,000m steeplechase), Joyce WAmbui Njuguna (powerlifting)