Ugandans Hail Joshua Cheptegei After Smashing Another World Record
Ugandan marathon runner Joshua Cheptegei has broken two long-standing world records - the 5,000m one on August 14 in Monaco and now the 10,000m one on Wednesday night in Valencia. He has done this within the space of two months.
Cheptegei has erased both races' records previously set by Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele after each remaining intact for more than a decade.
This comes after the 24-year-old broke the world 5km road record in Monaco in February implying that Cheptegei has broken three world records this year.
"I think this lays a foundation of what can still happen and what I want to achieve in the years to come," he said after the race.
President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Cheptegei on his achievement, tweeting that "Uganda is proud of you as you continue to hoist our flag high!"
Cheptegei served notice of his class when he took silver at the 2017 world championships in London when he was still just 20.
Last year he went one better, collecting gold in Doha. He had already won the world cross country championship five months earlier.
Up to Wednesday Cheptegei only had the 18th quickest time over the distance with a best in Doha of 26min 48.36secs, over half a minute outside the record.
But his performance in August boded well and he was assisted by some rapid pacemakers, notably the Kenyan Nicholas Kimeli who was a world finalist over 5,000 metres.
Another factor was his footware, Nike's carbon-plated Nike Vaporfly worn by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey when she established a new women's 5,000m earlier.
Senior leaders and other Ugandans have sent their messages of appreciation to Cheptegei
"Congratulations to @joshuacheptege1 for setting a new 10,000m world record in Valencia. Uganda is proud of you as you continue to hoist our flag high!" President Museveni.
"This man like our country Uganda always defies the odds and comes out on top! He was born to break world records and create new ones. @joshuacheptege1 is definitely the greatest athlete on earth today! Congratulations champ!" Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
"Congratulations to @joshuacheptege1 for setting a New World record in the 10,000m race today in Valencia. Uganda is proud of you," Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Mark Ssali veteran sports journalist and UNRA spokesman: "Congratulations Joshua Cheptegei!!!! Living legend!!! Uganda's GOAT!!! What did we ever do to deserve you??!!"
Don Wanyama, senior press secretary to the president: It was never in doubt! Congratulations@joshuacheptege1. True legend here. New 10,000m world record holder."
Charles Onyango Obbo - veteran journalist: The stuff of champions @joshuacheptege1 is breaking these records as if they are going out of fashion. At this rate, he will soon bore us (pun intended)."
Links
- 507 views
Join the conversation