Summary
•Event: Men’s 10,000m final
•Ugandan: Jacob Kiplimo
•Date: Tuesday, August 2
•Time: 10:35pm
•TV: SuperSport 225
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo will be hoping to win gold in the 10,000m event at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Kiplimo will fancy his chances and is the favourite as a couple of big names are missing including defending champion and country-mate Joshua Cheptegei.
Cheptegei who set the Games record in 2018 at Gold Coast (27:19.62), opted to rest after the Oregon event and he is carrying an injury as earlier reported by this Website.
There is no Mohammed Ahmed of Canada who won Silver in Gold Coast as well.
Kenya’s trio of Kibiwott Kandie, Edward Zakayo and Daniel Simiu pose the biggest challenge.
But they are not command at the distance though – Zakayo won bronze at the 5000m in Gold Coast while Kibiwott’s speciality is at Half Marathons.
Australian Jack Rayner whose time this year is 27:15.35, will also be a favourite for a podium place at Alexander Stadium.
The 10,000m event has been won by a Ugandan in the last five Commonwealth editions.
Cheptegei in 2018, Moses Kipsiro won it back to back in 2010 Delhi and 2014 Glasgow while Boniface Kiprop was triumphant in 2006 Melbourne.
It’s strong to note that no Ugandan was entered for the 2002 Manchester games in 10,000m while Godfrey Nyombi failed to finish in 1996 in Kuala Lumpur.
Kiplimo, who will be turning 22 in November, comes into the games in terrific form after clinching Bronze in Tokyo (Olympics) and Eugene (World Championships).
Last year, he set the seventh fastest time ever at the distance when he clocked 26:33.93 in Ostrava.
And he will be targeting to live to the billing when the starter’s gun is sounded in Birmingham.
Elsewhere, Jacenta Nyamahunge (Women’s 100m heats), Halimah Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo (800m) will be in action on Tuesday as well.
