Classy Chebet crowned Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion
Kenya's Beatrice Chebet celebrates winning and taking the gold medal in the women's 5000m final athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham on day ten of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 7, 2022.
What you need to know:
Chebet stormed to the lead for the first time with 200m to go, zooming past compatriot Selah Jepleting and Eilish McColgan to win in 14 minutes and 38.21 seconds at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday
Jepleting settled for bronze in 14:48.24
In Birmingham
World 5,000m silver medallist Beatrice Chebet has won the Commonwealth Games women's 5,000m title.
Chebet stormed to the lead for the first time with 200m to go, zooming past compatriot Selah Jepleting and Eilish McColgan to win in 14 minutes and 38.21 seconds at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday.
It was Kenya’s sixth gold medal at the Championships.
McColgan, who had won the 10,000m, edged out Jepleting to silver in 14:42.14.
Jepleting settled for bronze in 14:48.24.
The victory by Chebet, the 2018 World Under-20 5,000m champion, saw Kenya retain the 5,000m title Hellen Obiri won in 2018 Gold Coast.
Chebet said that it has been a good year after she started with victory at the Africa Championships to silver at the World Championships and then gold at Commonwealth Games.
“It’s only by the grace of God that I have progressed well this year. It’s through hard work. I know Kenyans are proud of me and thank you for praying for us,” said Chebet, adding that she had vowed to win in Birmingham after she fell short at the World Championships.
“I knew I was the strongest in the field and I would beat McColgan or anybody with my superb finishing kick,” said Chebet, the 2019 World Cross Country Under-20 champion.
Chebet dedicated her medal to Athletics President Jack Tuwei saying he has been a father figure to her, always wanting to know what she is doing and what she is up to.
“He has always wanted the best for me,” said Chebet, who vowed to bring back the World 5,000m next year.
Jepleting, who had last represented Kenya in 2015, declared that she is back after bagging bronze.
Other Kenyan gold medallists are Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Mary Moraa (800m), Wycliffe Kinyamal (800m), Abraham Kibiwott (3,000m steeplechase) and Jackline Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase).
