Commonwealth Games: Jackline Chepkoech bags second gold for Kenya after winning women's Steeplechase

Jackline Chepkoech winner 3000m steeple chase during World Athletics U20 Championships at the Moi International Sports Complex. Aug 20, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Jackline Chepkoech is the new Commonwealth Games 3, 000m steeplechase champion.

Chepkoech, the 2021 World Under-20 3,000 steeplechase gold medallist gave Kenya its second gold medal after winning the women's Steeplechase in a record of 9:15.68.

The youngster reclaimed the title ahead of Elizabeth Bird of Great Britain who came in the second position in 9:17.79 and Uganda's Olympian Peruth Chemutai who crossed the tape in 9:23.24 on Friday at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai lost steam in the final lap after falling on a steeple as Bird overtook her to claim the silver.

On Saturday, Kenya expects a bounty harvest with 13 finals slated on the card.

Kenyans will be featured in five finals as they hope to bolster their medal tally of eight medals -- two gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

African Games race walk queen Emily Ngii will open the day in the women's 10-kilometre at 12.30 pm.

Kenya hopes also lay with the defending champion Conseslus Kipruto and World Under-20 champion Amos Serem in the men's 3,000m steeplechase at 1.50pm.

Bronze medallist in the steeplechase at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, Abraham Kibiwott, qualified for the final.

The newly crowned Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala will lead Kenya's quartet that also has Samuel Imeta, Mike Mokamba and Hesbon Ochieng in the 4x100m first heat at 2.45pm.

The focus will turn quickly to the men's 1,500m race at 3.10pm. The 2018 Commonwealth Games 1,500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot and World Indoor 1,500m bronze medallist Abel Kipsang will carry Kenya's honour in a race that has been tough for them in recent years.

Then the graceful world 800m bronze medallist Mary Moraa takes the battle to England's world 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkison.

The two-lap race final starts at 9.45pm. World 5,000m silver medallist Jacob Krop, Nicholas Kimeli and Cornelius Kemboi will try to tackle the newly crowned Uganda's Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, Jacob Kiplimo in the men's 5,000m final from 10.10pm.

The national 400m hurdles champion Kenyan duo of Wiseman Were and William Mbevi race in the men's 400m hurdles final at 10.45pm.

The two hopes to ignite the long wait for a victory that has eluded Kenyans since 1978 when it was last won by Daniel Kimaiyo.

Gideon Biwott and Barnaba Kinyor are the last Kenyans to claim medals in the event with their silver and bronze exploits at the 1994 Games.

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