NAIROBI, Kenya, March 22 – Kenya’s Brian Komen produced a devastating kick in the final lap to clinch gold in the men’s 1500m at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Komen clocked 3:39.19 in first place, ahead of Ethiopia’s Shire Ermias who finished second in 3:39.40.
Another Kenyan — the 2022 World Indoor 1500m bronze medalist Abel Kipsang — collected bronze after overtaking Ethiopia’s Weggene Adisu to finish third in 3:39.45.
Komen’s gold was a welcome revenge for Kenya after missing out on top glory in the women’s 1500m where Mary Ekiru won bronze after finishing third in 4:06.22.
Ethiopia’s Mero Hirut Meshesha led a 1-2 finish for her country, clocking 4:05.71 to grab gold, ahead of countrywoman Kumsa Hawi Abera who timed 4:06.09 in second.
Bronze-filled day
Apart from Ekiru, Kenya also clinched another bronze via Nancy Jepleting who clocked 1:15:07 in the women’s half marathon.
South Sudan’s Atalena Loliha won gold after clocking 1:14:36 as Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw came second in 1:14:40.
Cornelius Kemboi also bagged bronze after clocking 13:40.61 to finish third in the men’s 5000m.
Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet took top honours after stopping the timer at 13:38.12, ahead of second-placed Abdallahi Jama Mohammed of Somalia, who clocked 13:38.64.
Elsewhere, the 2019 African Games champion Julius Yego was unable to retain his crown, having to contend with silver after finishing second in the men’s javelin with an overall throw of 81.74m.
Nigeria’s Nnamdi Chinecherem was crowned champion with a throw of 82.80 as Egyptian Abdel Khaliq Moustafa Mahmoud took bronze.
Kenya is now ranked 10th on the medal table, having bagged seven gold, seven silver and 18 bronze.
