NEW DELHI, October 12 – Young gun Silas Kiplagat powered to the men's 1,500m title on Tuesday, ending a Kenyan Commonwealth Games gold medal drought over the distance.The 21-year-old, the fastest man in the world who had never run out outside his country until a few months ago, crossed the line in 3:41.79 seconds, well short of his season best.
Fellow Kenyan James Magut came second with defending champion Nick Willis of New Zealand, back in action after knee surgery, taking third to prevent a Kenyan clean sweep.
In the absence of Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop, Kiplagat turned on the afterburner with 200m to go and no-one could catch him.
It capped a breakthrough year for the youngster who introduced himself to the wider athletics world with a victory at the Diamond League meeting in Monte Carlo in 3:29.27, the world’s fastest time this year.
That was his first race on the European circuit and his win here marks him down as a future star in the making.
The win ensured the gold went to Kenya after the country failed to claim it at the last two Games.
