Ugandan athletics is in merrymaking mood after Joshua Cheptegei took 10000m silver at the IAAF London World Championships. The long-distance runner powered to his best finish ever over the 25-lap race, crossing the finish line in a time of 26:49.94 behind Great Britain’s Mo Farah. “As you can see, I am happy,” Cheptegei told this website upon return from London early this week.
His medal was the nation’s sixth in the history of the Worlds, joining the list that includes Stephen Kiprotich, Solomon Mutai, Moses Kipsiro, Dorcus Inzikuru and Davis Kamoga. That medal from a contingent of 20 runners had Uganda finish joint-32nd of 44 nations that bagged silverware at Olympic Stadium. Cheptegei has now set his sights on next year’s Commonwealth Games due August 4-15 in Queensland, Australia. “There are so many competitions ahead of me and I plan to do my best. For now, I am looking at it but I don’t know what will happen between now and then.” he said.
But the Commonwealth Games come a little early, contrary to the past. “It does but I have to adjust my training schedules. May be break off now and build-up starting November.” Cheptegei added. More like it, Uganda will hope Cheptegei can scoop gold in Australia, a medal that Kipsiro won at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. “We need to plan this together with Uganda Olympic Committee to go to camp early and schedule races early. Doha 2019 is a build-up for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” Uganda Athletics Federation President Dominic Otuchet said at the luncheon for the returning contingent.
Having had a stunning finish, where he went past Kenyan trio Paul Tanui, Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki, many bookmakers are tipping Cheptegei to go on and take on the mantle after Farah’s departure. The Somali-born Briton had won 10 unprecedented championship titles including a double at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic games.
UGANDA’S MEDAL CABINET AT WORLD CHAMPS
1997 Athens: Davis Kamoga (400m Silver)
2005 Helsinki: Dorcus Inzikuru (3000m Steeplechase Gold)
2007 Osaka: Moses Kipsiro (5000m Bronze)
2013 Moscow: Stephen Kiprotich (Marathon Gold)
2015 Beijing: Solomon Mutai (Marathon Bronze)
2017 London: Joshua Cheptegei (10000m Silver)
CHEPTEGEI AT A GLANCE
Date of birth: September 12, 1996
Major Races: 5000m, 10000m
Manager: Jurrie van der Velden
Kit Sponsor: Nike
Personal Bests: 5000m (12:59.83), 10000m (26:49.94)
CHEPTEGEI’S 2017 RACE ITINERARY
Jan 14: Nation X-Country, 1st (29:02)
Mar 26: World X-Country, 30th (30:08)
May 27: Eugene DL, 5000m, 4th (13:02.84)
July 1: Paris DL, 3000m, 4th (7:34.96)
July 6: Lausanne DL, 5000m, 3rd (12:59.83*)
Aug 4: London Worlds, 10000m, 2nd (26:49.94*)
CHEPTEGEI’S MEDAL CABINET
2014 World University X-Country Gold
2014 World Junior 10000m Gold
2015 Africa 10000m Gold
2017 World 10000m Silver
TEAM UGANDA AT LONDON WORLD CHAMPS
MEN: Abu Mayanja (800m), Ronald Musagala (1500m), Jacob Araptany, Boniface Sikowo, Albert Chemutai (3000m SC), Stephen Kissa, Jacob Kiplimo (5000m), Joshua Cheptegei (5000m/10000m), Timothy Toroitich (10000m), Solomon Mutai, Robert Chemonges, Alex Chesakit (Marathon)
WOMEN: Halima Nakaayi, Winnie Nanyondo, Dorcus Ajok (800m), Esther Chebet (1500m), Peruth Chemutai (3000m SC), Mercyline Chelangat, Stella Chesang (5000m), Juliet Chekwel (10000m)
TEAM OFFICIALS: Gordon Ahimbisibwe (Head Coach), Guiseppe Giambrone (Assistant Coach), Veronica Sampieri (Team Doctor)
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune