Zakayo, Chelimo lead colleagues in sealing berths to Gold Coast

World under 18 3,000m silver medalist Edward Zakayo stunned seasoned athletes to claim the honours in the men 5,000 metres race, and with it, a ticket to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Zakayo who was making a debut in the senior competition beat Nicholas Kipkorir who came in second and David Bett who came third.

Zakayo said he is delighted by the prospect of representing Kenya again at the world stage after bagging silver in the 2017 World under- 18 championships, claiming he now targets gold in Gold Coast.

” After winning silver last year, I am even motivated to earn gold this time around. I promise that I am going to do my best there,” Zakayo said, referring to the looming assignment in GoldCoast, Ethiopia.

Zakayo also opened-up on the challenges he is facing, highlighting his humble background, and the hope he pegs on his athletics prowess which he prays will transform his life.

” I’m optimistic athletics is going to change my life since I even struggle to get school fees,  but I am determined to change that through athletics,”  a defiant Zakayo, mighty in spirit charged, perhaps signalling that the struggles will not dilute his resolve to make a name in the Gold Coast event and future assignments.

In the corresponding women race, Margaret Chelimo led Eva Cherono to bag the two available slots after Hellen Obiri was awarded a wild card in the competition.

Cherono believes that they have all it takes to bag the medals in Gold Coast when they come against other athletes from the rest of the globe.

” I know we are going to do well there especially when we get to train the three of us, but most importantly, I will be out to enhance my speed work when we join camp,” Chelimo who hails from Nandi County said.

Lilian Kasait who finished as second runners-up was unlucky not to make the cut owing to Obiri’s wild card.

Men 5,000m

1. Edward Zakayo 13.28.2
2. Nicholas Kipkorir 13.32.7
3. David Bett 13.34.7

Women 5,000m

1 Margaret Chelimo 15.51.2

2 Eva Cherono 15.54.6

3 Lilian Kasait 16.03