Kiplimo wins Uganda’s second Gold

Long distances runner Jacob Kiplimo clinched the second Gold for Uganda at the ongoing Commonwealth Games after breaking the men’s 10000-metres Commonwealth Games record. Kiplimo crossed the finish line in 27 minutes, 09 seconds, and 19 microseconds, setting a new record.

In the absence of Jacob Cheptegei, Kiplimo entered a solo race at the Alexander Stadium and beat a nine-man field to command a respectable gold medal, emulating his brother Victor Kiplangat, who opened Uganda’s medal tally at the 2022 games when he won Gold in the 42-kilometre race. Kiplimo beat off competition from Kenya’s Daniel Simiu, who came second in 27:11.26, followed by another Kenyan Kibiwott Kandi in 27:20.34.

Kiplimo started the race well, holding onto the first three positions as England’s Sam Atkin led the pack in the first lap, making a big difference. He held on up to the first 2,800 metres before Scotland’s Andrew Butchart overtook him while Kiplimo dropped three positions behind. As the race unfolded, Kenya’s trio of Daniel Simiyu, Kiwotti Kandie, and Edward Pingua started leading the pack as Kiplimo looked on from the back.

However, in the last 2,000 metres, Kiplimo outsprinted all of them to lead the pack. Towards the last four laps, the leading pack bridged a huge distance from the last pack before the race competition remained between Ebenyo and Kiplimo in the last 500 metres as Kenya’s Kendi also faded slowly. The race became even hotter in the last 200 metres when Ebenyo outsprinted Kiplimo but didn’t last long before Kiplimo took over the leading position towards the last 70 metres, thus finishing the race comfortably.

Kiplimo, who has the eighth fastest time in the world over the 25-lap distance, which stands at 26:33.93, entered the race as the favourite amongst the other competitors. The 21-year-old Olympic bronze medalist had the task of defending Uganda’s huge history in the previous edition of the games where Uganda won a gold medal over the 10,000m distance.

Uganda has now won the last five 10,000m titles starting way back in 2006, when Boniface Kiprop triumphed in Melbourne, followed by Moses Kipsiro in Delhi (2010) and in Glasgow (2014) before Joshua Cheptegei won it in Gold Coast in 2018. Kiplimo will return to the track on August 6, 2022 to compete in the 5,000m distance.

Kiplimo Wins Uganda’s Second Gold

He was supposed to partner with his compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, who pulled out of the games due to injury. Before Kiplimo’s race, middle distance runner Halima Nakaayi progressed to the finals of the 800m after finishing second. She crossed the finish line1:59.35 behind Kenya’s Mary Moraa who won the heat in 1:59.22. The final will take place on Saturday.

In the same development, sprinter Jacent Nyamahunge also progressed to the semifinals of the 100m when she finished third in heat six. She clocked 11.53 behind Jamaica’s Ntalliah Whyte who won the heat with 11.31 seconds.