World 3000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich produced a commanding performance to win Kenya’s second gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after storming to victory in a Games record time on Wednesday, 29 July in Glasgow.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe youngster clocked an impressive 9:01.76 to shatter the previous Commonwealth Games record, capping off a remarkable return after battling an early-season injury.##NAJAVA_MECA_9868144##Former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda dictated the early pace, with Cherotich content to shadow her throughout the opening stages of the race. Chemutai came into the Games in excellent form, following Diamond League victories in Xiamen and Shanghai, but the Kenyan remained patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.With approximately 600 metres remaining, Cherotich surged to the front and took full control of the race, gradually increasing the tempo before unleashing a devastating finishing kick.Kenya’s wait for Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold continues as Edwin Kurgat misses podiumHeading into the home straight, the Kenyan had opened a sizeable gap over the chasing pack as Chemutai faded after her early efforts.Cherotich crossed the finish line in a Commonwealth Games record of 9:01.76 to secure gold and Kenya’s second title of the Games.Great Britain’s Elise Thorner claimed silver in a personal best of 9:05.45, while Chemutai settled for bronze in 9:09.96 after leading for much of the contest.Kenya’s other representative, Celestine Biwott, finished seventh in 9:33.61.Omanyala explains disappointing Commonwealth Games exitElsewhere, Team Kenya enjoyed mixed fortunes across the athletics programme.World 800m champion Lilian Odira boosted Kenya’s medal hopes by winning the opening women’s 800m semifinal in 1:59.39, to comfortably book her place in the final. She finished ahead of Shafiqua Maloney (1:59.81), while Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford completed the top three in 1:59.96.However, Janet Jepkemoi failed to progress after finishing fifth in the second semifinal in 2:02.08, as world 800m silver medalist Georgia Hunter-Bell won the race in 1:59.88 ahead of Sarah Billings (2:00.05) and Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (2:00.60).Serem reveals 20 calls from father before race spurred him to Commonwealth goldThere was disappointment in the men’s 1500m after world bronze medalist Reynold Cheruiyot suffered an unexpected mishap, and failed to finish his race despite looking well placed to qualify for the next round.In the men’s 200m, Zablon Ekwam delivered one of Kenya’s standout sprint performances, blazing to a season’s best of 20.42 seconds to win the opening heat, and secure automatic qualification to the semifinals.His compatriot Elkana Sabila was less fortunate, pulling up injured during his heat to end his campaign prematurely.Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera also progressed after finishing third in her women’s 400m hurdles heat in 56.43 seconds, to book a place in the next round.Edmund Serem leads Kenya to historic clean sweep in men’s 3,000m steeplechaseField events proved more challenging for Kenya, with Isaac Kirwa Yego finishing 12th in the men’s long jump after managing a best leap of 7.28m. Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle won the title with 8.15m ahead of India’s Murali Sreeshankar (8.09m), while Stephen Mackenzie claimed bronze with 8.08m.In the men’s 400m hurdles, Kenya’s sole representative Kipkorir Rotich missed out on a place in the final after finishing fourth in his semifinal.
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