Newly crowned Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mathew Kipsang’ believes Kenya has finally rediscovered its winning rhythm over the distance after ending the nation’s 12-year wait for gold at the Games.
Kipsang’ unleashed a devastating finishing kick to storm to victory in 13:23.61, clinching his maiden Commonwealth crown ahead of Australia’s Ky Robinson (13:24.70) and India’s Gulveer Singh (13:24.95).
Cornelius Kemboi finished fourth in 13:24.99, while Andrew Alamisi faded to 10th in 13:30.35.
The triumph marks a major breakthrough for Kenya, whose last Commonwealth Games men’s 5,000m title came at Glasgow 2014, when Caleb Ndiku struck gold in 13:12.07 ahead of compatriot Isaiah Kiplangat (13:14.06).
Since then, regional rival Uganda has dominated the event, with Joshua Cheptegei winning at Gold Coast 2018 in 13:50.83 and Jacob Kiplimo taking top honours at Birmingham 2022 in 13:18.08.
Kipsang’ credited teamwork with Kemboi for helping Kenya reclaim the coveted title.
“I feel good. I had prepared well for this win. We had talked with Cornelius (Kemboi) so that we could help each other and bring Kenya a medal,” Kipsang’ said. “It has been a while since Kenya brought home a medal in the 5,000m.”
Kipsang believes Kenya has firmly re-established itself among the world’s elite over the distance.
“I believe now Kenya is back in the 5,000m” he said.
The country has endured a dry spell in the event on the global stage despite its rich distance-running pedigree. At the Olympic Games, Kenya has managed just one men’s 5,000m gold medal, courtesy of John Ngugi’s memorable triumph at Seoul 1988.
Only Paul Bitok (Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996), Eliud Kipchoge (Beijing 2008), and Ronald Kwemoi (Paris 2024) have come close since, each settling for silver.
At the World Championships, Kenya has gone 21 years without winning the men’s 5,000m crown.
The last Kenyan to top the podium was Benjamin Limo at Helsinki 2005.
Historically, however, Kenya has enjoyed great success at the World Championships, collecting seven titles through Yobes Ondieki (Tokyo 1991), Ismael Kirui (Stuttgart 1993 and Gothenburg 1995), Daniel Komen (Athens 1997), Richard Limo (Edmonton 2001), Eliud Kipchoge (Saint-Denis 2003), and Benjamin Limo (Helsinki 2005).
Kipsang’ revealed that the speed and sharp finishing burst he developed over 1,500m proved decisive in the closing stages of the race.
“I graduated from the 1,500m, so I still have the speed and finishing kick from that event. That is what helped me win gold. It is something I have mastered. Even at the national championships, I did the same and was able to win,” he said.
At the National Championships, which also served as the Commonwealth Games trials, Kipsang’ stormed to the title in 13:45.37 ahead of Kemboi (13:46.94) and Alamisi (13:47.62).
Kipsang’ said Glasgow has ignited his hunger for greater success at the Beijing 2027 World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“This gold medal has given me a lot of confidence. The journey is still long because we still have the World Championships and the Olympics. So now I am going to sit down and start preparing for 2027 and 2028. The journey is still long. This is just the beginning,” he said.
