Kiplimo Wins Gold for Uganda at Commonwealth Games

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo on Tuesday night broke Joshua Cheptegei’s world record to win gold in the 10,000m race at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Kiplimo, who took bronze at the recent world championships, celebrated with a dance on crossing the line after finishing in 27min 09.19sec to finish ahead of Kenyan pair Daniel Ebenyo and Kibiwott Kandie.

"I think for me for winning this Commonwealth Games title was everything, the most important thing for me this season," Kiplimo told AFP.

"But I still have a lot of things to do in the future at the Olympics and world championships."

Kiplimo faced just eight rivals but he gave the packed stadium a rousing performance on the first day of track and field in Birmingham. With two laps to go the race was on a knife-edge but although Ebenyo moved into the lead at the bell it was the Ugandan who eased past on the final bend to take gold.

Kiplimo’s gold is a big relief to Ugandans following a huge setback after the Oregon gold winner, Cheptegei pulled out of the Commonwealth games in Birmingham citing illness and fatigue. Cheptegei won gold in the recently concluded World Championships in Athletics in Oregon, US.