World 800m champion Lilian Odira and Janet Jepkemoi will be aiming to book their places in the women’s two-lap final when the duo line up in the semi-finals on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10.06 pm.
Odira advanced to the semis after winning her opening-round heat on Monday, finishing in 2:01.05, ahead of Wales’ Isabelle Boffey (2:01.53) and Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford (2:01.63).
Despite her commanding performance, Odira admitted the opening race was far from straightforward due to the chilly conditions.
”The race was not easy. My body responded well despite the weather conditions here; it was really cold. The main target was to make the semis, and I am glad I did,” she said.
Odira said the Commonwealth Games are serving as an important stepping stone towards the World Ultimate Championships scheduled for September in Budapest, Hungary.
While treating the championships as part of her preparations, Odira insisted she is determined to leave a lasting impression on her Commonwealth debut.
”I am here to make a statement because this is my debut, so definitely I will be chasing a medal if I make the finals,” she said.
In the first semi-final, Odira is expected to face stiff competition from South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso and St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shafiqua Maloney.
How Janet Jepkemoi performed in Commonwealth games
Meanwhile, Jepkemoi secured her slot after finishing third in her heat timing 2:02.30 behind Australia’s Sarah Billings (2:01.51) and Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (2:02.11).
Jepkemoi was pleased with her race execution.
”The race met my expectations, I was aiming for a slot in te semis and I made it.”
Making only her second appearance in team Kenya since the 2024 World U20 championships in Lima, Peru, Jepkemoi said the Club Games have given her invaluable experience.
”It’s a great experience to be at my first Commonwealth Games. I am competing against alot of top athletes ans gaining alot of experience.”
Elsewhere during the morning session on Day Three, the Kenyan trio of Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Cheruiyot and Brian Komen will toe the line in the men’s mile heats at 1.05pm.
At 1.32pm, Zablon Ekwam and Elkana Sabila will take to the blocks for the men’s 200m heats.
Hurdler Kipkorir Rotich will kick off Kenya’s evening campaign in the men’s 400m hurdles at 9.33pm.
