Cherotich Breaks Games Record as Katherine O'Connor Clinches Heptathlon Gold at Commonwealth Games
Kenya's Faith Cherotich delivered one of the standout performances of the 2026 Commonwealth Games athletics programme on Wednesday, July 29, breaking the Games record to win the women's 3000m steeplechase. The evening also saw Northern Ireland's Katherine O'Connor capture heptathlon gold with a season's best score, Canada's Sarah Mitton successfully defend her shot put title, and Jamaica's Tajay Gayle soar to victory in a thrilling men's long jump final.
Cherotich smashes Games record in steeplechase
Faith Cherotich produced a sensational display in the women's 3000m steeplechase, clocking a Games record 9:01.76 to secure Kenya's latest gold medal in dominant fashion. The world-class youngster gradually pulled away from the field before crossing the line comfortably ahead of the rest.
England's Elise Thorner enjoyed the race of her career, storming to a personal best of 9:05.45 to claim the silver medal after overtaking Uganda's Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai in the closing stages. Chemutai completed the podium in 9:09.96.
Top 3 Results
- Faith Cherotich (Kenya) – 9:01.76 (GR)
- Elise Thorner (England) – 9:05.45 (PB)
- Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) – 9:09.96
O'Connor crowned Commonwealth heptathlon champion
Northern Ireland's Katherine O'Connor capped two outstanding days of competition by winning the women's heptathlon with a season's best 6,569 points. After taking control early in the competition, O'Connor maintained her advantage through the final 800 metres to comfortably secure the gold medal.
England's Jade O'Dowda earned silver with 6,278 points, while Australia's Tori West completed the podium on 6,104 points.
Final Standings
- Katherine O'Connor (Northern Ireland) – 6,569 pts (SB)
- Jade O'Dowda (England) – 6,278 pts
- Tori West (Australia) – 6,104 pts
Mitton defends shot put crown
Canada's Sarah Mitton once again proved herself the class of the field, retaining her Commonwealth Games women's shot put title with a winning mark of 19.88m. Mitton was the only athlete to surpass 19 metres, securing a comfortable victory.
The battle for the remaining medals was decided by countback after Nigeria's Jessica Oji and Jamaica's Lloydricia Cameron both threw 17.87m. Oji claimed silver thanks to the better second-best throw, with Cameron taking bronze.
Top 3 Results
- Sarah Mitton (Canada) – 19.88m
- Jessica Oji (Nigeria) – 17.87m
- Lloydricia Cameron (Jamaica) – 17.87m
Gayle flies to long jump gold
Jamaica's Tajay Gayle produced his best jump when it mattered most, leaping 8.15m in the fourth round to capture the men's long jump title.
India's Murali Sreeshankar settled for silver with 8.09m, having led the competition through the early rounds, while Scotland's Stephen Mackenzie thrilled the home crowd by taking bronze with 8.08m, just one centimetre behind the Indian in one of the closest field event contests of the championships.
Top 3 Results
- Tajay Gayle (Jamaica) – 8.15m
- Murali Sreeshankar (India) – 8.09m
- Stephen Mackenzie (Scotland) – 8.08m
SEE FULL COMMONWEALTH GAMES ATHLETICS RESULTS.
