Joshua Cheptegei a 5000 meters distance runner is excited about winning his first gold medal and second medal (silver -10000) in the ongoing Tokyo Olympic games.
Ugandan runner clinched a gold medal for team Uganda, clocking 12:58.9 in the men’s 5000 meters race.
“This medal is really very special because it comes at a point that I was feeling that maybe I was fatigued and tired,” Said Cheptegei after winning the race .
“But I had to tell myself, ‘if there is a time for me to become an Olympic champion, it is this year because I am still in my prime age and you never know what could happen in the next three years before Paris’. I might not have the chance to defend the title, but this is really my special time to win the gold.”
Canadian Mohammed Ahmed came second and USA’s Paul Chelimo third clocking 12:58.6, 12:59.05 bagging Silver and Bronze medals respectively.
Other Ugandans who took part in the race includes; Jocob Kiplimo who finished 5th with time of 1302.40 and Chelimo Oscar fininshed in 16th position and was the last clocking 13:44.45.
Cheptegei’s gold medal is the second after Peruth Chemutai also winning gold in women’s 3000 meters steeplechase.
Team Uganda has now collected four medals in total ( 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze) .
