In Summary: Kibet clocked a personal best of 5:39.50 in the men’s 2,000m steeplechase, while Chelimo posted a season’s best of 9:32.41 in the women’s 3,000m. Their performances also marked another milestone for Uganda’s growing record in Youth Olympic athletics.
Dakar, Senegal — Uganda’s Michael Kibet and Keren Chelimo have won double bronze medals in athletics at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, delivering the country’s first podium finishes at the competition on Monday.
Kibet opened Uganda’s medal account with a third-place finish in the men’s 2,000m steeplechase, clocking a personal best of 5:39.50 at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop.
The Ugandan finished behind Ethiopia’s Junedin Abdo, who won gold in 5:29.30, and Kenya’s Wesley Kiplagat Kipkech, who took silver in 5:36.28.
For Kibet, the medal was particularly special because it came in his first competitive appearance in the steeplechase, having previously focused on the 5,000m.
Speaking after the race, he expressed delight at his achievement, saying the result reflected the hard work he had put into training.
“I feel very happy and good. The race was good. I have not run the steeplechase before; this was my first time and I did well,” Kibet said. “I was in good shape. I was pushing hard in training, so this means a lot.”
The Ugandan explained that he decided to try the steeplechase partly after his experience in the 5,000m at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States, where he struggled to compete for a podium finish.
“When I went to World Juniors in the USA, I ran the 5,000 metres. They beat me badly, so I was also trying this one to be on the podium,” he said.
Kibet also acknowledged the support he had received along his journey, adding: “I hope that I have cheered the people who have cheered me.”
His achievement was followed by another bronze medal for Uganda when Keren Chelimo finished third in the women’s 3,000m in a season’s best time of 9:32.41. Kenya’s Faith Rono won gold in 9:15.47, while Ethiopia’s Yordanos Tsigab secured silver in 9:15.71.
Chelimo said the hot weather made the race challenging but was pleased to finish on the podium. “The race was good. Although the weather was very hot, I managed to get the bronze medal,” she said.
She also revealed that Kibet’s earlier medal had motivated her to push harder in her own race. “Yes, it motivated me. I have got the courage to go and work hard during my training sessions. It also gives me more heart in my weak points,” Chelimo said.
The double-bronze achievement gives Uganda an encouraging start to its athletics campaign in Dakar, with both athletes demonstrating the country’s continued strength in distance running.
The performances also add to Uganda’s Youth Olympic Games medal history, which has been built entirely through athletics across previous editions.
Kibet and Chelimo’s achievements have provided a boost to Team Uganda’s delegation as the Games continue in Senegal.
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