How Cheptegei won third successive gold in 10,000m World Champs

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: Uganda’s long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei on Sunday delivered a devastating last lap to win a third successive gold in the 10,000 metres at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

Cheptegei who holds the world record in the 5000m and 10,000m had to overcome an injury-hit year to hit his top form as he broke clear of his competitors with a fired-up 53-second last lap to come home in 27:51.42.

Kenyan’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo came second to take home the silver medal while Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega settled for bronze.

Cheptegei attributed his victory to prior and proper preparations for the 2023 World athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

“I attribute this incredible performance to good training sessions set by my coaches, and this first victory has given me a positive mindset and strength for the remaining 5,000-meter race which I believe is as well competitive.”

Beatrice Ayikoru, the general secretary of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) says Cheptegei’s performance was incredible. “We are overwhelmed with Joy for what Joshua has done for team Uganda today, and we believe more medals from other athletes are a possibility,” said Ayikoru.

With the victory in Budapest, Cheptegei becomes just the fourth man in the history of the Championship to win three consecutive gold in the world championships after Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele as well as Mo Farah.

Lits of Uganda’s World Championship Medals

1. Athens 1997: Davis Kamoga (Silver, 400m)  
2. Helsinki 2005: Dorcus Inzikuru (Gold, 3000m SC) 
3. Osaka 2007: Moses Kipsiro (Bronze, 5000m)
4. Moscow 2013: Stephen Kiprotich (Gold, Marathon)
5. Beijing 2015: Solomon Mutai (Bronze, Marathon)
6. London 2017: Joshua Cheptegei (Silver, 10000m)
7. Doha 2019: Halimah Nakaayi (Gold, 800m)
8. Doha 2019: Joshua Cheptegei (Gold, 10000m)
9. Eugene 2022: Joshua Cheptegei (Gold, 10000m)
10. Eugene 2022: Jacob Kiplimo (Bronze, 10000m)
11. Eugene 2022: Oscar Chelimo (Bronze, 5000m)
12. Budapest 2023: Joshua Chaptegei (Gold, 10000m) **New