It's back to the drawing board for 2019 world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot after picking up a silver in the Commonwealth Games on over the weekend.
Cheruiyot clocked 3:30.21, losing out the gold medal to Australia's Oliver Hoare, who posted 3:30.12 — a games record— as world 1500m champion Jake Wightman settled for bronze in 3:30.53.
Cheruiyot said he has battled a hamstring injury for the better part of the season but was happy to win a medal after a difficult period.
"It was a tough race and I am happy to have won a medal," said Cheruiyot, who finished sixth at the World Championships in Oregon.
He said he is confident of bouncing back at next year's World Championships.
"I'm confident in my abilities and once my injury heals, I will start my preparations for next year,” said Cheruiyot, adding that his body is getting into shape.
Elsewhere, Commonwealth Games 5000m silver medallist Nicholas Kimeli and bronze Jacob Krop expressed confidence that the country is on the right course in their quest to reclaim lost glory in the 121/2 lap race.
Kimeli said they worked as a team but Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo showed class with a stunning finishing kick to deny them gold.
"We worked very hard. We controlled the pace but our time will come and we will beat Kiplimo," said Kimeli.
Krop said they will have to work on their finishing kick if they are to beat Kiplimo in the future.
"We did everything right in terms of endurance but Kiplimo's proved the difference," said Krop.
Krop said he is optimistic that performances in the 5,000 and 10,000m will be better in the years to come.
"Our performances at the World Championships and Commonwealth are improving and we will beat the Ugandans and Ethiopians in future events," he said.
Kimeli clocked 13:08.19 as Krop took bronze in 13:08.48.
Kiplimo a double after winning gold earlier in the week in the 10,000m, taking the 5,000m title in 13:08.48.
