Commonwealth Games: Kinyamal delighted with gold after tough 800m

Being the only Kenyan to qualify for the Commonwealth Games 800m men's final, Wycliffe Kinyamal is impressed after claiming gold in the two-lap race.

The 25-year-old achieved the rare feat of becoming the first back-to-back winner in the distance after also plundering gold back in the 2018 edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games: Kinyamal defends 800m title in spectacular fashion

Kinyamal overcame a disappointing performance in Oregon at the World Championships where he finished last despite hopes of him being on the podium.

The East African Junior Athletics Championships gold medalist admitted that the race was not a walk in the park and went on to thank God for the victory after a season that was plagued by injuries.

“It was not that easy but I really pushed myself in a bid to defend my title. The race was high paced but I was able to make an effort and that is what got me the victory.

Before the race, I told myself that whatever medal God will give me I will be thankful because I would not have put my mind on gold and I hadn’t run in the race,” said Kinyamal.

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He had Australian Peter Bol breathing down his neck in the 100m but he fended off the South Sudanese-born athlete to claim gold for Kenya.

Kinyamal finished at a time of 1:47.52 while Bol was second in 1:47.66 as home runner Ben Pattison won the battle for bronze in 1:48.25.