Kenya's Wyclif Kimanyal defends 800m gold in Birmingham

Wycliffe Kinyamal during the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham. PHOTO/Kelly Ayodi

Wyclif Kimanyal on Sunday successfully defended his Commonwealth Games 800m gold medal after sprinting to victory in Birmingham.

Kimanyal who led from the start withstood a stiff sprinting threat from Australia's Peter Bol to defend his title in a time of one minute and 47.52 seconds in front of a packed Alexandria Stadium.

Kimanyal led the pack of eight athletes at the bell and waited for a challenge from anyone in the race before making his move in the final 200m curve where he sprinted to the finishing line as Bol and the rest chased behind.

Bol clocked 1.47.66 to win silver ahead of local favorite and home boy Ben Pattison who timed 1.48.25 for the bronze medal.