- Daniel Simiu finished second while Kibiwott Kandie was third
- Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo won the title
- Kenya has not won the 10,000m title since 2002
Daniel Simiyu finished second for silver while Kibiwott Kandie was third for bronze as Kenya’s quest to win the elusive 10,000m title at the Commonwealth Games fell flat. Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo clinched the title as the East African neighbours won a fifth consecutive crown.
The last time Kenya won the 10,000m title at the Club Games was in 2002 when Wilberforce Talel won in Manchester. Since then, it has become a Ugandan affair.
Kiplimo won the race in sensation fashion, setting a new Games record time of 27:09.19. Simiu finished second for silver in a new lifetime best time of 27:11.26 while Kandie came home third in 27:20.34, also a new personal best for him.
Edward Zakayo, the 5,000m bronze medalist from the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia, finished fourth, timing 27:39.03.
The best thing to happen to me
Daniel Simiu celebrates after winning silver. PHOTO/Team Kenya
“This is the best thing to happen in my career and I am really delighted. I am happy to add a Commonwealth silver to my African silver and this is huge motivation for me. I want to thank my coaches for the support they have given me and I now want to achieve more,” said Simiu.
He had tried to go toe to toe with Kiplimo in the final lap which ended in a sprint finish, but he could not take the chase to the line and blamed this on fatigue as he had also competed at the World Championships two weeks ago in Oregon, United States.
“I tried to go but I felt that I didn’t have enough strength and when I saw I was already well placed for silver, I just had enough to finish,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kandie was also pleased with his bronze.
“I am overjoyed because this is the first time I am representing the country. When I was named in on the team for the Commonwealth Games, I vowed to work hard to win a medal for my country and I am happy that I managed to do that,” Kandie said.
Early leaders drop out of pace
Action in the men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/Team Kenya
Sam Atkin of England and Scot Andrew Butchart were the early pacers for the race, but they couldn’t hold on for a while with Atkin dropping out of the race. With seven laps left, the Kenyan trio took charge of the race, but Kiplimo went into the lead with four to go.
He kept in the lead and they dropped Zakayo along the way, Kandie and Simiu sticking to his neck. At the bell, Kandie was also dropped down and it was now down to the Kenyan youngster and Kiplimo.
Simiu tried to push the pace and went into the lead, but Kiplimo stuck on his shoulders and with the final 200m, he put on the pace and went on to clinch the crown.
“I am happy to have won today and ensured the title won by Cheptegei (Joshua) in 2018 remains with Uganda. It was a very competitive race and I am glad to get the win,” said Kiplimo after the win.
Cheptegei did not travel to Birmingham to defend his title after pulling out citing fatigue from the World Championships.
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