Uganda’s long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei and his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo made Uganda proud on Sunday as the pair clinched 1st and 3rd place respectively in the 10,000m race in Oregon, United States.
Cheptegei finished the final lap at Eugene’s Hayward Field to clock at a winning time of 27min 27.43sec to defend his world title and lift Gold for Uganda while his teammate, Jacob Kiplimo, settled for bronze.
Much as it is well known that the main goal of participating in the World Athletics Championships is to win medals and set records, there is also the opportunity to earn some prize money.
According to the organizers of the Oregon World Atheltic Championships 2022, a total of 2,000 competitors from 192 countries are taking part in the ongoing track and field event in Oregon, USA, vying for a stipend amount of $8.5 million (about Shs32 billion) up for grabs.
With their victory in the 10,000m race, therefore, Cheptegei and Kiplimo will each receive $70,000 (about Shs263 million) and $22,000 (about Shs83 million) in prize money as a result of their gold and bronze medal finishes, respectively.
Shortly after the victory, a triumphant Cheptegei said; “I did not aim to run really fast because of the heat, the sun was very strong,” Cheptegei said. “The conditions were kind of challenging. You just have to enjoy the race and see how it is going. Then it was going good.”
He added: “I knew that if I get into the last fight, I can control it and I could speed it up. I was able to get stronger and keep it faster and faster.”
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