Sports

Kimeli makes amends to wins first senior medal

Monday, August 8th, 2022 07:10 | By
Kenya’s Nicholas Kimeli (right) finishes second behind Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and another Kenyan Jacob Krop comes third during the 5000m race at the Commonwealth Games. PD/ WORLD ATHLETICS
Kenya’s Nicholas Kimeli (right) finishes second behind Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and another Kenyan Jacob Krop comes third during the 5000m race at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/ World Athletics

After a series of near misses Nicholas Kimeli finally has a senior title to his name, and he is now hoping that will be a springboard to future accolades coming his way.

Kimeli on Saturday won silver as teammate Jacob Krop earned bronze in a race Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo beat Kenyan opposition again, bagging the Commonwealth Games 5,000m title in Birmingham.

“After several near there moments, I now have a senior title,” said Kimeli.

“I was dejected after failing to win a medal at the world championships in Oregon last month. So coming here and finishing second is a dream come true,” said Kimeli who also had missed a medal by a whisker as the delayed Tokyo Olympics last year.

The victory saw Kiplimo also beat Kenyan opposition to clinch the 10,000m title now flying back to Kampala as a double Commonwealth Games champion.

The Kenyan duo had employed formidable teamwork in the race, but they were beaten by Kiplimo in the final dash with a sprint finish.

“Just like in Oregon, Krop and I  worked as a team, a testimony that a lot can be achieved if we work together,” he added.

He edged them out 10m to the finish line, clinching the title in 13:08.08 in his first 5,000m race of the season. Kimeli was second in 13:08.19 while Krop earned bronze in 13:08.48.

With five laps to go, the Kenyan trio of Kimeli, Krop and Cornelius Kemboi took charge of the race as they sought early dominance. With four to go, Kimeli moved up top and signalled Krop to follow in his tail, with Kemboi remaining third.

With three to go, Kemboi was dropped and Kiplimo joined the leading duo in third and the gap between the first and chasing group began to grow.

At the bell, Kimeli pressed down the gas injecting an addition of pace and Krop was right behind him, watching out for Kiplimo’s run from the outside.

At the home stretch, it was now every man for himself and Kiplimo used the opportunity to move to the outside and injected some pace of his own. They were side by side with Kimeli, eyes gauged out, each digging deep into their energy reserves.

In the end, it was Kiplimo who would have the best finishing kick as he completed his double in Birmingham.

“The gap is very small is all I can say, we are getting there,” Kimeli said in conclusion.

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