BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) — Grenada’s Lindon Victor narrowly retained his Commonwealth decathlon crown on Friday as New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh also held onto his title in Birmingham.
In a drama-filled session, 18-year-old Kenyan Jackline Chepkoech added Commonwealth gold in the 3000 meters steeplechase to last year’s under-20 world title.
She won in a Games record of nine minutes and 15.68 seconds — her victory was assured when Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai fell badly as she contested the lead.
Although limping badly, she bravely carried on to take bronze but had to be taken off in a wheelchair.
There was no upset in the women’s triple jump.
Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts shed her bridesmaid’s tag — having been silver medallist in the 2018 Games and last month’s world championships — to post a Games record of 14.94 meters.
The decathlon provided the edge-of-the-seat drama at Alexander Stadium.
Victor held on by the skin of his teeth as Australia’s Daniel Golubovic won the 1500m comfortably, threatening to snatch the title away from him.
The Grenadan fell to the ground as he awaited the final tally and to his relief he had done just enough to deny Golubovic, winning by just 36 points with a total of 8,233.
“Ahead of the 1500m I just thought, ‘Don’t relinquish the lead. Run as hard as you need to win,’ and that’s exactly what I did,” said 29-year-old Victor.