Chepkoech bags Kenya silver in 1,500m women race

Beatrice Chepkoech on Tuesday won Kenya a silver medal in the 1,500m women race in the ongoing Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia, behind South African Caster Semenya.

Chepkoech crossed the line in 4 minutes, 03.09 seconds , behind Semenya in 4:00.71. Mellisa Courtney of Wales bagged bronze in 4:03.44, while the other Kenyan in the race, Mary Wanagri Kuria came a distant ninth in 4:05.88, her season’s best.

Chepkoech’s fete extended Kenya’s medal tally to four; two silver and two bronze.

“I’m very happy and contented with the results I have posted here; however, this does not mean have I have moved from my normal discipline, the 3,000m steeplechase.

“I wanted to double up in both event but the coaches requested me to run 1,500m and I agreed so as to help help me in my flat speed for steeplechase,” Chepkoech said shortly after earning her first major title.

Looking forward to the season, Chepkoech revealed that running the 1,500m race was essential to her as she prepares to hunt the much coveted IAAF World Championships title slated for next year.

She will also compete in this year’s Diamond League Series.

On her part, Semenya could hardly hide her joy after bagging her first global title in 1,500m, adding to her 800m crowns.

“I have now mastered the art of 1,500m. I now know when to move and how to apply my techniques during the race. It also helped me know when to inject speed,” the two- time Olympic champion said.

Meanwhile, Gilbert Koech put an impressive performance in the men’s decatholon setting a new national record and a personal best of 7009 points to finish amongst the top 10.

“Making it to the top 10 has really motivated me and I feel that I can achieve more if I improve on my areas of weakness. The national record is very special performance to me because it was set in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia and I have broken it in the same country 36 years later.”

Meanwhile, Maximilia Imali will be the country’s sole representative in the 400m finals. Imali qualified for the first time in the one lap distance adding that she will be targeting a podium finish during the finals.