Chepkoech wins 3,000m steeplechase on games record

World Under-20 champion Jackline Chepkoech put up a new games record clinching Kenya’s third gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on a time of 9:15.68 in the women’s steeplechase.

The 18-year-old was the only Kenyan representative in the race after Celiphine Chespol pulled out due to a knee injury she picked during the world championship in Oregon.

The girl from Kuresoi controlled the last two laps with ease to earn her first senior victory despite changing leads a couple of times with Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai who pensively fell off a barrier in the last round trying to play catch up.

Briton Elizabeth Bird won the silver medal in a personal best time of 9:17.79 while the Ugandan earned bronze, clocking 9:23.24.

Her senior victory comes a day after youngster Faith Cherotich took her mantle of the Under-20 title in Cali, Colombia, Thursday night.