As the athletics programme of the African Games reached its final day at the Ghana University Stadium, Kenyan athletes continued to shine. Kenya currently has a total of 35 medals (8 gold; 7 silver, and 20 bronze).
Brian Kamen of Kenya emerged as the day’s standout performer, securing a gold medal in the men’s 1500m with a time of 3:39.19. Ethiopia’s Shire Ermias Girma (3:39.40) and Kenya’s Abel Kipsang (3:39.45) claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Kipsang, despite initially lagging behind, showcased a remarkable recovery in the final 50m to clinch the bronze.
In the Javelin throw event, Julius Yego met expectations by securing a silver medal with an impressive throw of 81.74 meters.
Ethiopia’s attempt to replicate their women counterparts’ success in the 5,000m race fell short as athletes from other nations challenged them closely. Nonetheless, Ethiopia’s Berhe Gebrhiwet managed to secure the gold medal with a time of 13:38.1.
Somalia’s Jama Mohamed Abdallahi claimed the silver medal in 13:38.64, while Kenya’s Cornelius Kimboi secured the bronze in 13:40.61.
In the women’s half marathon, Kenya’s Nancy Jepleting attained a bronze medal with a time of 1:15:07, while South Sudan’s Atalena Loliha emerged victorious, finishing in 1:14:36.
Kenya’s Edwin Okong’o lived up to his promise to deliver gold as he beat Morocco’s Yassine Elouarz in the men’s middleweight 75kg category.
Okong’o beat the Moroccan 3-1 at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Friday. The feat was historical because the last Kenyan to win gold at the 2007 All-Africa Games was Suleiman Bilali in Algiers, Algeria.
