Kenyans sweep steeplechase podium in Glasgow
Gold medallist Purity Cherotich Kirui (centre) on the podium with silver medallist Milcah Chemos Cheywa (right) and bronze medallist Joan Kipkemoi during the award ceremony for the women's 3000m steeplechase athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 30, 2014. PHOTO | BEN STANSALL | AFP
What you need to know:
- Chemos, who is also the World champion, was happy to get silver in season’s best 9:31.30
- Australians Madeline Heiner and Genevieve Lacaze, who almost interrupted Kenya's glory, came in fourth and fifth
Kenya staged its second podium sweep Wednesday when former World junior champion Purity Kirui guided former champion Milcah Chemos and Joan Kipkemoi to victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
Kirui, the winner of the 2010 World Junior Championships, overtook Chemos, who was the defending champion, after the last hurdle to win in 9:30.96.
Chemos, who is also the World champion, was happy to get silver in the season’s best 9:31.30.
Kipkemoi donned bronze in 9:33.34 for her first international major silverware as Kenya staged its first sweep over the distance in major races.
Australians Madeline Heiner and Genevieve Lacaze, who almost interrupted Kenya's glory, came in fourth and fifth with personal best 9:34.01 and 9:37.04 respectively.
The victory brought Kenya’s medal tally to 12; five gold, five silver and two bronze.
The first sweep came in women’s 10,000m, with Joyce Chepkirui, Florence Kiplagat and Emily Chebet doing the damage on Tuesday.
COLD-WEATHER EFFECTS
The 2012 World junior champion Faith Chepng’etich won gold in the women’s 1,500m, days after Philomena Cheyech and Caroline Kilel staged a 1-2 feat in the women’s marathon. Stephen Chemlany had opened the medal hunt with silver in the men’s marathon.
“I was quite sure of victory when I woke up in high spirits. We knew Chemos wasn’t feeling well with a hamstring injury so we decided to take it slow as we took precautions against the Australians,” Kirui said.
Kirui said they will endeavour to deliver similar results at the Africa Championships due next week in Morocco.
“I hope Chemos will have recovered ready for the race.”
Chemos indicated that the hamstring wasn’t bad up until the chilly weather crept in at the Hampden Park.
“The cold didn’t make it easy for me with the recovery (of the) hamstring injury. After all, this cold weather and rains have never favoured Kenyans. I am still happy with silver,” Chemos said.
Chemos said she would decide in a week’s time whether she would compete at the Africa Championships.
