I was enjoying the race and wanted gold medal --- Peruth Chemutai

Entering the race as the favourite, Chemutai had the fastest time of the eight athletes in the 3,000m steeplechase finals. It was her gold medal to lose.

The race started off brilliantly with the athlete taking on competition from her opponents. In the later stages, the race would turn into a two-horse race between her and Kenya’s Jackline Chepkoech.

The two East Africans dominated the race, running side by side and setting ground for a decisive strong finish for the gold medal.

Winner, Jackline Chepkoech of Kenya helps the injured Peruth Chemutai of Uganda after the Women's 3000m Steeplechase final AFP

With about 600m to go, in the final lap, Chemutai would miscalculate her leap at one of the barriers and suffer a nasty fall. With a hurting knee, she picked herself up but gifted Chepkoech to drift away to the finishing line for gold without competition and also England’s Elizabeth Bird took advantage of Chemutai’s slow pace to win a silver medal. Chemutai was wheeled away after the race.

Speaking about the medal at her arrival on home soil, she noted that she is happy with the performance but desired to win gold.

“I’m so happy about the medal. It is not easy to fall down and rise up to continue running, I am feeling okay now, I was enjoying the race”, she said.

“I am the second woman to win in 3,000m women’s steeplechase. In my race, I was feeling okay and targeting the gold. I am very happy about the team, Kiplimo, Victor, our coaches…”

Chepkoech would post a Commonwealth Games Record of 9:15.68 previously held by Uganda’s Dorcus Inzikuru.

I was enjoying the race and wanted gold medal - Peruth Chemutai

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