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Joshua Cheptegei has the Tokyo Olympics’ 10000m gold medal as his main priority for this year.
In a bid to achieve that, Cheptegei attempted to break the 3000m world record (WR) whilst seeking speed at the 60th Ostrava Golden Spike Meeting in the Czech Republic last week.
But his attempt to beat Kenyan Daniel Komen’s long-standing mark of 7:20.67 fell short due to the wind at the Městský Stadium.
“It was kind of windy for me that is why I did not get the best result,” said Cheptegei who posted a personal best of 7:33.24.
He was bidding to become the only third man to hold all 3000m, 5000m, and 10000m WRs at a go.
Now Cheptegei, owing to a tough schedule, hopes to break the 3000m WR again sometime next year.
“So I still have to think of doing a better race next year or so with a better condition. I hope I can still run more of the 3000m,” he noted.
Cheptegei, who currently holds the world 10000m title and cross-country titles, will run one more race before the Tokyo Olympics, according to his management Global Sports Communication.
Before Ostrava, Cheptegei had competed over the 1500m distance during the sixth Uganda Athletics Federation Trials at Namboole Stadium last month.
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This writer is a global broadcaster and as well a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune