Joshua Cheptegei has had an excellent spell over the long-distance events in the last four years.
As a result, he is the country’s greatest athlete ever after winning a 5000m gold medal at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympic Games.
Cheptegei, who also won 10000m silver in the Japanese capital, has had a litany of success on track and road since 2018.
A Commonwealth double, a World Cross-country title, the 10000m world title, four world records over the 5km, 10km, 5000m and 10000m have all come his way.
But, with the coronavirus pandemic disrupting the global sports calendar, Cheptegei has a bumper spell ahead if he is to defend some of his honours.
Luckily, the World Cross-country Championship which was meant to take place next February was postponed by World Athletics, thereby easing Cheptegei's 2022 schedule.
While the 25-year-old had planned to head to the city of Bathurst in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia on February 19, 2022, now Cheptegei will wait for a year to compete for the senior men’s 10km gold.
“The event will now take place on Saturday 18 February 2023 in Bathurst,” read a part of World Athletics’ communication. “The postponement is due to the biosecurity measures and travel restrictions currently in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Australia. Australian borders are closed to international visitors.”
Cheptegei won the world cross-country title two years ago in Aarhus, Denmark when he obliterated the field after the 7km mark to exorcise the demons of Kololo 2017.
In Bathurst, which will be the 44th edition, about 550 elite runners from over 60 countries are expected at the Mount Panorama venue.
With that event heading to 2023, it gives Cheptegei room to breathe as he bids to defend his 25-lap title at the Eugene World Championships next July.
This championship however will be preceded by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, implying the Ugandan living legend may not be able to defend his double here.
NEXT BIG CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mar 27, 2022: World Half-Marathon Champs (Yangzhou, China)
Jul 15-24, 2022: World Championships (Eugene, USA)
Jul 28 - Aug 8, 2022: Commonwealth Games (Birmingham, UK)
Aug 2-7, 2022: World U20 Athletics Champs (Cali, Colombia)
Feb 18, 2023: World Cross-Country (Bathurst, Australia)
Aug 16-17, 2023: World Championships (Budapest, Hungary)
CHEPTEGEI PROFILE
Date of birth: September 12, 1996
Major Races: 5000m, 10000m
Personal Bests: 5000m (12:35.36), 10000m (26:11.00)
Coach: Addy Ruiter
Manager: Jurrie van der Velden
CHEPTEGEI AT MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
2014 World Junior Champs 4th, 5000m (13:32.84)
2014 World Junior Champs 1st, 10000m (28:32.86)
2014 African Champs DNF, 10000m (DNF)
2015 African Junior Champs 1st, 10000m (29:58.70)
2015 World Champs Beijing 9th, 10000m (27:48.89)
2016 Olympic Games Rio 8th, 5000m (13:09.17)
2016 Olympic Games Rio 6th, 10000m (27:10.06)
2017 World Cross-country 30th, Senior race (30:08)
2017 World Champs 2nd, 10000m (26:49.94)
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 1st, 5000m (13:50.83)
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 1st, 10000m (27:19.62)
2019 World Cross-country Champs 1st, 10km (31:40)
2019 World Champs Doha 1st, 10000m (26:48.36)
2020 Tokyo Olympics 2nd, 10000m (27:43.63)
2020 Tokyo Olympics 1st, 5000m (12:58.15)
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