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Uganda's most decorated athlete Joshua Cheptegei takes on the 2023 World Athletics Championships 10,000m finals, on Sunday in Budapest, presenting an opportunity to further his accomplishments in the event.
Cheptegei last had a podium finish on track at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon in the 10,000m finals.
He won gold and joined the exclusive league of Ethiopian greats Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and British track and field legend Mo Farah - as the only humans to have won back-to-back world 10,000m championships.
He posted 27:77:43 as Kenya’s Stanley Mburu grabbed silver and Jacob Kiplimo bagged bronze to ensure an all East African podium.
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However, in the bid to pull off a double in Oregon, Cheptegei suffered an injury in the 5000m heats and went on to finish in ninth position in the finals. Kiplimo's brother Oscar Chelimo would be the surprise package as he won the bronze medal.
Fast forward to 2023, Cheptegei only returned to track in May 2023 and has not enjoyed a podium finish amidst plans to transition to road races.
While nursing injury, Ethiopians and Kenyans have been working tooth and nail to dethrone the dominance of the double world record holder.
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20:03 - 16.08.2023
ATHLETICS Uganda's stellar athlete line-up heads to Budapest
All eyes, especially those in Uganda, will be on Team Uganda, waiting for moments of magic and perhaps a new chapter in their nation's athletic history.
Ethiopia's Berihu Aregawi has emerged as one of the finest leading to the championships with a season best of 26:50.66. He is joined by Olympic champion Selemon Barega with 26:51.87.
Having swept a 1-2-3 finish in the women's 10,000m finals August 19, morale is high in Team Ethiopia camp for return to their long distance dominance era.
The Kenyan trio of Daniel Simiu, Benard Kibet and Nicholas Kipkorir are also plotting to cause an upset. Other formidable contenders include Canadian star Mohammed Ahmed.
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The back-to-back 10,000m gold medallist will forge alliances with less accomplished compatriots Rogers Kibet and Joel Ayeko after longterm running partner Jacob Kiplimo withdrew from the Worlds due to injury.
He will also take part in the 5000m finals in Budapest alongside Oscar Chelimo.
The 10,000m finals is slated for 7:10pm (EAT).
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