Kiyeng Bags Bronze in Steeplechase as Uganda's Chemutai Carries the Day

Kiyeng
Hyvin Kiyeng in a past race
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Kenya bagged her 3rd medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after pre-race favourite Hyvin Kiyeng (9:05:39) settled for bronze in the 3000m steeplechase final.

Perth Chemutai (9:01:45)timed and made a sensational run in the last 650m to outpace American Courtney Frerichs(9:04:79) to win the 3000m steeplechase final and claim Uganda's first gold medal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

 World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (9:16:33) meanwhile failed to rise to the occasion once again as she finished seventh in the race that had so many surprises. 

Before the start,  all the attention was on Kiyeng, Mutile Yavi and Chepkoech but it was Chemutai who delivered the magical moment for Uganda to post her personal best time to win gold.

She is the first Ugandan female to win an Olympics gold medal and that enough has proved a shift of balance in athletics in East Africa. 

Already the Ugandans have two more medals (silver and bronze) in the 10000m courtesy of Paul Cheptegei and Jacob Limo.

Frerichs tore the whole field apart after three laps to lead the race only to be beaten on the 650m mark by the powerful Ugandan. 

Kiyeng who was leading parts of the race tried as much as she could to catch up with Frerichs and Chemutai but it was  a little bit too late as she just finished third to make Kenya wait a little longer for that elusive gold. 

Disclaimer : Teamkenya.co.ke is not affiliated with the Kenyan Olympic team.