Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei has on Sunday evening won men’s 10,000 metres at the ongoing world title in Doha.Cheptegei has also set a new record—timing the second fastest ever in the championship history of 26minutes 48.6 seconds.
He also becomes the first Ugandan to win Gold in that category, having grabbed a silver medal in 2017.
Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia took silver (26:49.34) and Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto the bronze (26:50.32).
“Congratulations to Joshua Cheptegei for winning Gold in the men’s 10,000m final at the IAAF World Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar. Once again, you have hoisted the Uganda flag high. We are proud of you,” President Yowori Museveni posted few minutes after the race.
Cheptegei managed to live as advertised, survived Kenya’s cunning tricks before fending off resistance from Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha.
Cheptegei 22 bags gold which earns him with a tax-free $60,000(216,000,000/) million Ugshs prize.
Kejelcha came second while Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto settled for bronze in 26:50.32.
Kenya’s Rodgers Kwemoi finished just outside the medal bracket.
Cheptegei becomes the first Ugandan to win a men’s track title in IAAF World champions.
He had finished second behind Great Britain’s Sir Mo Farah at the 2017 London event and he has now benefited from the Farah’s absence.
Cheptegei takes Uganda’s gold to two after Halima Nakaayi had won the Women’s 800M. This is Uganda’s fourth gold overall at the Worlds.
The victory headlines a big year for Cheptegei that saw him win the World Cross Country champion taking the 5,000m final of the Diamond League in Zurich.
This is Uganda’s best outing at the IAAF World Athletics Championship ever.
Joshua’s Gold Medal is the 4th Gold medal at this championship after that of:
Inzikuru Dorcus
Kiprotich Stephen and
Halima Nakaayi
The team will travel back to Uganda today Morning at 4.00 am and arrive in Entebbe at 2.30pm after a long tiresome 10 days.
Bellow is the full list of Uganda’s medals at the IAAF World Athletics Championships.
Gold – 4
1, Joshua Cheptegei – 10000M – 2019 Doha
2, Halima Nakaayi – 800M – 2019 Doha
3, Stephen Kiprotich – Marathon – 2013 Moscow
4, Dorcus Inzikuru – 3000M Steeplechase – 2005 Helsinki
Silver – 2
5, Joshua Cheptegei – 10,000M – 2017 London
6, Davis Kamoga – 400M – 1997 Athens
Bronze – 2
7, Solomon Mutai – Marathon – 2015 Beijing
8, Moses Kipsiro – 5000M – 2007 Osaka.
