Kenyan women extend 10,000m domination, Harmse and Montsho wins in Delhi - Day 3 Wrap
Grace Kwamboka Momanyi led a Kenyan 1-2 to victory in the women's 10,000m; and Compatriot's Nancy jebet Lan'gat, South African Chris Harmse and Botswana's Amantle Montsho bagged Gold for African nations at the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi on Friday.
Momanyi crossed the line in 32 minutes, 34.11 seconds with Doris Chepkwemo Changeywo finishing second in 32:36.97 thus giving Kenya her third 1-2 in a row in the 10,000m. Kavita Raut rallied to a credible bronze medal finish for the Indian host in 33:05.28.
Kenya has now won the 10,000m Women event at a record fourth consecutive Games.
Amantle Montsho of Botswana won the Women’s 400m title in 50.10 seconds. This was Botswana’s first Gold medal in Commonwealth Games history.
Folashade Abugan of Nigeria got the Silver medal with 51.39 seconds and Aliann Pompey of Guyana got the Bronze medal with 51.65 seconds.
An elated Montsho said after the race: "I feel very happy. This is the first ever Gold medal for Botswana. A lot of family and friends will be watching this on TV back home. I'll be a hero when I get home."
And on her preparation for the final, Montsho said: "I didn't feel any pressure because I knew I was going to win tonight."
SA ends domination
South Africa's Christian Harmse ended England and Australia domination in the Commonwealth Games Hammer throw event after he threw 73.15 metres to claim the men's hammer gold medal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today.
Team England's Alex Smith hauled a personal best of 72.95 metres to take the silver medal and his teammate Mike Floyd took the bronze medal with 69.34.
Harmse became the third man to have won at least three medals in this event, winning Bronze in 1998 and 2006. Since 1958, this event has been won by either an Australian or an Englishman - until Harmse's success.
On winning with his last throw of the final, Harmse said: "I have been trying to win it since 1998 at my first Commonwealth Games, so I thank God that 12 years later I am the winner.
"It all came on the last throw. I put everything in it. "I prayed for a good throw and God gave it to me. So this will give me a lot of peace now."
On how close he came to retiring, he added: "At one stage I wanted to stop, but for this meeting I decided to try again and I prepared hard for it."
Selected Results:
Women's 400m Final:
(1) Amantle Montsho (BOTSWANA) 50.10;
(2) Folashade Abugan (NIGERIA) 51.39;
(3) Aliann Pompey (GUYANA) 51.65
Women's 1500m Final:
(1) LAN'GAT Nancy Jebet (KEN) 4:05.26 (Games Record);
(2) HAMBLIN Nikki (NZL) 4:05.97;
(3) TWELL Stephanie (SCO) 4:06.15.
Women's 10,000m Final:
(1) MOMANYI Grace Kwamboka (KEN) 32:34.11
(2) CHANGEYWO Doris Chepkwemo (KEN) 32:36.97
(3) RAUT Kavita (IND) 33:05.28
