ATHLETICS

Oscar Chelimo carries Uganda medal hopes as coach Njia confirms Cheptegei injury

Moses King 13:58 - 24 August 2023

Oscar Chelimo celebrates advancing to the 5000m finals in Oregon. Imago

Bronze medallist at 2022 World Athletics Oscar Chelimo willl carry Uganda's hopes in 5000m after Uganda Athletics Federation coach Benjamin Njia confirmed that Joshua Cheptegei suffered a foot injury ruling him out of the remainder of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Cheptegei was due to race in 5000m heat one and Chelimo in heat two, August 24 with high prospects of a podium finish in the finals due Sunday, August 27.

However, as earlier revealed by Pulse Uganda Sports, Cheptegei withdrew his participation, August 23 after confirmation of the status of his injury.

“The injury significantly affects his foot, making it impossible for him to continue racing in the remainder of the 2023 championship,” Njia confirmed to URN via The Lagos Voice.

Athletics

Cheptegei suffers injury in Budapest, withdraws from 5000m

Regrettably, this injury pattern mirrors Cheptegei's misfortune at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, where he encountered a similar fate and finished ninth in the finals with an injury.

Oscar Chelimo was Uganda's track revelation in Oregon winning world championships Bronze medal.

Chelimo will battle against 21 elite competitors, including Aregawi, who boasts a world-leading time of 12:40.45, along with compatriot Yomif Kejelcha and Kenya's Jacob Krop.

Top contenders include Kenya's Nicholas Kipkoris, USA's Paul Chelimo, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Spain's Mohamed Katir.