by Stuart WeirA fun day of distance running with Kenyan men taking the sweep in the men’s steeplechase and the 10,000 meters men was the finish of the double for the Joshua Cheptugei. Here’s Stuart Weir’s column on day 5 men’s action. More to come!
Conseslus Kipruto, photo by PhotoRun.net
Joshua Cheptegei, photo by PhotoRun.net
Friday 13th Commonwealth Men in action
The Kenyan steeplechase team, photo by J. Stuart Weir
If the women’s steeplechase caused a shockwave with a Jamaican victory, normal service was restored in the men’s steeplechase with a Kenyan 1-2-3. Conseslus Kipruto won in a Games Record 8:10.08 from Abraham Kibiwott with Amos Kirui third.
Kipruto said afterwards: “I’m very happy and so grateful. I’m extrememly proud of myself. I’m glad to add this medal to my collection. Firstly, I planned to win. Secondly, I planned to help my team-mates to win medals. It was a tactical race. It was a fast race. I was controlling the race. “In the warm-up I told them that I would not leave them behind, so that is why I kept calling them through. I’m so happy we did what I planned. I told them never to give up.”
Abraham Kibiwott (silver), Conseslus Kipruto (gold), Amos Kirui (bronze), by J. Stuart Weir
Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei (Uganda) added the 10,000m to his 5000m title in 27:19.62. He said of the race: “I was doing it for my friends and family, and to bring the medal back home. It ranks really high because it’s one of the only major medals I have, plus the silver of the World Championships (London 2017 – 10,000m). It’s really a precious medal for me, so precious.” Mohamed Ahmed (Canada) was second and Rodgers Kwemoi (Kenya) third.
In the continuing topsy-turvey world in which Jamaica wins the women’s 3000m steeplechase, but none of the sprints, we should not be surprised by a Jamaican 1-2 in the men’s discus. Fedrick Dacres won with a Games record of 68.20 with Trayes Smikle second (63.98). Apostolos Parellis (Cyprus) took bronze with Australians fourth, fifth and sixth.
Dacres said: “It’s a good feeling you know, I’ve got this all the way and now I can move on up. It’s my first international medal I think, so I’m thankful.” He added of Jamaica’s successes: “It’s not just the sprints any more, you know, we can do throws now. We’re branching off into other things, we’ve even got a shot put athlete now. All is well.”
Suwwaibidu Galadima (Nigeria) won the T47 (amputee) 100 metres race. Great to see another category of para-athletes given their chance to perform in a packed stadium and show spectators who have not seen before that they are elite athletes too.
Matthew Hudson-Smith (England) has had better meets! He won his heat in the 400m only to be DQ’ed. Then there was the 4 by 400 relay. He was on the first leg and 25 metres into the race he pulled up injured!
