Victor Kiplangat became the first Ugandan ever to win Gold at the marathon event at the Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old produced an impressive performance, completing the course with the fastest time of 2:10:55 to clinch gold in Birmingham on Saturday.
Kiplangat had to complete the final five kilometres on his own after splitting the field, coming home with a broad grin on his face, before sinking to his knees to thank the almighty.
It was the first marathon victory in the career of the rising star, and while he looked comfortable in its execution, it was not without an episode of drama.
Golden 🥇 moment for Uganda 🇺🇬!
Congratulations 🎉 Victor Kiplangat for #ChampioningUgandanSport#NBSportUpdates | #CommonwealthGames2022 pic.twitter.com/wFZdjhuWU2
— NBS Sport (@NBSportUg) July 30, 2022
With around six corners to the finish line, Kiplangat veered off the course, coming to a brief stop as he lost his way in a moment of drama.
But he had built up a commanding lead that the little detour did not cost him the race, eventually finishing over one and a half minutes behind Tanzania’s Alfred Simbu.
Micheal Githae, who was only a late inclusion and travelled to Birmingham as a backup option made his opportunity count as he won bronze more than two minutes behind the winner.
Long-time pacesetter Luke Adams of Australia made a valiant effort at trying to give his country their third successive win in the event but had to settle for fourth.
It’s the best placement for Uganda at this stage after Solomon Mutai clinched Silver at the 2018 games in Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, there would not be a double victory for Uganda in the marathon event as Linet Toroitich Chebet’s charge collapsed with only a third of the race to run in the Women’s marathon.
The race was eventually won by Australia’s Jessica Stenson in a time o 2:27:31. Kenya’s Margaret Muriuki took home the silver medal, with the 2018 gold medalist Helalia Johannes taking home bronze.
The Australian women led the pack for most of the race, working together at times to get a great result for the Aussies.
