Commonwealth Games Diary: Will Kenya strike first Gold on Day Two in Birmingham?

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – Kenya will have an opportunity of striking the first medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Saturday with two medal events lined up in the British City.

The men and women’s marathon will be Kenya’s highlight of Day Two. The athletes will be looking to make up for the misses of their colleagues from the World Championships where Kenya won only one medal in the women’s marathon and none in the men’s.

In the men’s Marathon, Kenya will stand a chance of a podium sweep with three representatives.

Eliud Kipchoge’s training partners Jonathan Korir, who placed 12^th at the last Tokyo Marathon and Eric Kiptanui who is a half marathon specialist will lead the Kenyan charge alongside Fukuoka Marathon champion Michael Githae with a personal best of 2:07:51.

In the women’s marathon, Kenya will only have one representative, Margaret Wangari being charged with the duties of earning the country a medal.

Kenya missed a medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Sheila Jerotich being the best performer at fourth.

In other fixtures for Kenya in Birmingham, the women’s hocket team, Blades will be in action for their second group match when they take on Australia.

The girls lost 16-0 to defending champions New Zealand on opening day and they will be looking for an improved performance against 2018 silver medalists Australia.

The Kenya Sevens team will also be in action, looking to complete a 3/3 group phase performance when they take on Australia in their last pool match.

Team Kenya Diary: