Kenya’s Irene Jepkemboi made history by securing bronze in the women’s javelin throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the country’s first-ever female medalist in the event at a major championship.
Jepkemboi earned third place with a top throw of 57.85 meters. Australia’s Mackenzie Little took gold with a season-best 61.88 meters, while New Zealand’s Tori Moorby earned silver with 60.04 meters.
“First Kenyan Woman Ever”: NOCK Celebrates Milestone
Celebrating the breakthrough, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) highlighted the milestone’s importance.
“With her Commonwealth Games bronze in the women’s javelin, Irene Jepkemboi becomes the first Kenyan woman ever to win a medal in the event at a major championship,” the committee wrote.
The committee said the achievement extends far past javelin, opening new doors for Kenyan women across field events on the global stage.
“And that’s not all; she has also become the first Kenyan woman to win a field event medal at a major championship,” its statement added.
Jepkemboi, a student-athlete at Texas Christian University (TCU) and Kenya’s national javelin record holder, continues her dramatic rise in the sport after setting a personal best and national record of 60.31 meters during the 2025 NCAA season.
Ndangiri and Odira Add Two More Silvers
Elsewhere, Kenya enjoyed a stellar day at the Games on Friday, July 31, as Stephen Ndangiri and Lilian Odira each captured silver medals in their events.
Ndangiri delivered a historic performance in the men’s 10,000m race walk by shattering the Kenyan national record, while Odira landed on the podium in the women’s 800m final.
Ndangiri set his record time at 38:46.57 to claim second place in the 10,000m race walk. Australia’s Isaac Beacroft grabbed the gold medal in 38:45.51, and Canada’s Evan Dunfee bagged bronze with a time of 40:03.39.
Lilian Odira brought home Kenya’s second silver after finishing the women’s 800m final in 2:00.58. England’s Georgia Hunter Bell won gold, while Canada’s Sarah Billings earned bronze.
Odira, the reigning world champion, commanded attention throughout the tournament by cruising through the preliminary heats before unleashing another powerful drive in the final.
“I Wanted to Retain My Title,” Odira Says
Reflecting on her performance after the race, Odira admitted she had hoped to keep her title on home soil.
“My aim was to finish on the podium. Personally, I wanted to win that gold because the championships were at home, and I wanted to retain my title,” she said.
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