World champion ensures Kenyans retain 1,500m title won by Magut in 2014

Kenya’s Elijah Motonei Manangoi wins the athletics men's 1500m final during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

It was a race that Kenyans waited for with bated breath. And it did not disappoint as world 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi and silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot ensured a 1-2 sweep for Kenya at the Carrara Stadium yesterday.

The two – alongside world junior 800m champion Kumari Taki –toyed around the field from the start as they sought to retain the title James Magut’s won in Glasgow in 2014.

But Australia’s Luke Mathews pushed out and hit the front to cross the 400m mark in 1:00.95 as Cheruiyot and Manangoi trailed.

Cheruiyot, who made frantic attempts to excel in 800m while a pupil at Kibungot Primary School and Singorwet Secondary School in Bomet County, then took control of the race leading the pack at the 800m mark in 2:00.04.

Manangoi followed his compatriot before urging him to up the pace. They crossed the 1,200m mark in 2:56.0 with Cheruiyot still holding the lead.

The 26-year-old Manangoi summoned his last ounce of energy and sprinted away in 52.07 seconds in the last lap, winning in 3:34.78 – slightly below the 3:32.16 Games record set by Filbert Bayi of Tanzania at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1974.

Cheruiyot (3:35.17) and Jake Wightman (3:35.43) of Scotland bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Kenya’s Kumari Taki (3:38.34) finished seventh.

Manangoi said: “It was a brilliant race. And it went as planned. We had agreed on team work. I knew that I was pretty good and I had Cheruiyot who really loves teamwork. We agreed that one of us must win the race with a sprint to the line. I am in good shape and he is, too.

“We expected Kumari Taki to keep up the pace but he’s still young. He has just graduated from junior level and slowly picking up. Cheruiyot is good in lapping while I have a strong kick. I was not worried at all about the race.

“But as the team captain, I was under pressure. Really, really under pressure to see the team perform well. I almost became sick in the last three days. We promised President Uhuru Kenyatta to perform well and he expects good results.

“Now I have something to tell him when I reach home. It’s good we have at least four gold medals,” he said.

Cheruiyot, a prison warder, said it was unfortunate they could not manage 1-2-3 as planned.

“I have finished twice (London World Championships and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games) behind Manangoi but I believe one day I will beat him.”