In Glasgow

If you were asked to predict Kenya's medal winners before the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Matthew Kipsang and Irene Jepkemboi would probably have been nowhere near the list. But that is the beauty of sport - its unpredictability.

The two athletes have taken very different paths, yet both produced unforgettable performances on Saturday at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow to put their names in Kenya’ sporting history.

Before Saturday, Kenya had received a sobering reminder that its traditional dominance in distance running was no longer tenable.

Australia, in particular, emerged as a major force, with Ky Robinson winning the men’s 10,000m and Rose Davies claiming the women's 10,000m before adding the 5,000m title. India's Gulveer Singh also continued his remarkable rise by winning medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Kenya's Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang celebrates after winning the Commonwealth Games Men's 5000m final at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on August 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters

Heading into the men's 5,000m final, there were genuine doubts over Kenya's chances. Kipsang, making his debut on the global stage in Kenyan colours, answered those questions in emphatic fashion.

Displaying remarkable patience throughout the race, the former 1,500m specialist unleashed a devastating kick with 300 metres remaining, leaving his rivals with no response as he stormed to victory in 13 minutes, 23.61 seconds.

“We had planned accordingly, and our strategy worked well. Kenya has not won the men’s 5,000m for quite some time, but now we are back,” said a jubilant Kipsang.

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His triumph ended a 12-year wait for Kenya in the event since Caleb Ndiku's memorable victory at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, then staged at Hampden Park.

Robinson, fresh from his 10,000m gold, settled for silver, while Singh edged Kenya's Cornelius Kemboi by just three-hundredths of a second to deny Kenya bronze, and what would have been the country's 13th medal of the Games.

“I have graduated from the 1,500m, so I still have the speed and that is what helped me. I used the same tactic during the national championships and I wasn't going to change it,