Kenya enjoyed another productive day on the track at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Diana Wanza claiming a silver medal in the women’s 10,000 metres before reigning world champion Lilian Odira comfortably booked her place in the 800m semi-finals.
Wanza delivered a spirited performance to secure Kenya’s second medal of the Games, crossing the finish line in 31:50.13 behind Australia’s Rose Davies, who surged clear in the closing stages to win gold in 31:39.32.
The silver extended Kenya’s long-standing tradition in the event, although the wait for a first Commonwealth women’s 10,000m gold since Joyce Chepkirui’s triumph in Glasgow in 2014 continues.
Compatriots Miriam Chebet and Rebecca Mwangi also put in determined performances, finishing seventh and tenth respectively, as Kenya collected valuable points in one of the Games’ most competitive distance races.
The African champion’s silver medal was another milestone in what has been a breakthrough season. Wanza arrived in Glasgow fresh from winning the African 10,000m title and has quickly established herself among the continent’s leading long-distance runners.
Later in the evening, attention shifted to the women’s 800m, where Lilian Odira underlined her status as one of the favourites for gold with an assured display in the opening round.
The reigning world champion controlled her heat from the front before easing through the finish to comfortably qualify for the semi-finals, avoiding the need to chase a fastest-loser spot.
Odira, who earned her maiden Commonwealth Games berth after winning a third consecutive national title earlier this year, is chasing her first medal at the Games after establishing herself as one of the world’s premier two-lap runners.
Odira’s qualification keeps Kenya firmly in contention for another medal in the middle-distance event, with the Migori-born runner looking to add a Commonwealth podium finish to the world title she won in Tokyo last year.
The pair’s performances continued Kenya’s encouraging start to the athletics programme, with Team Kenya building momentum as more track and field finals take centre stage in Glasgow.
