Peruth Chemutai Confident of First Gold for Uganda as Oscar Chelimo Explains Horror 10,000m Show in Tokyo

Peruth Chemutai delivered a commanding performance in the women's 3000m steeplechase semi-final heats, while Oscar Chelimo endured a painful race in the men's 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

The men's 10,000m holds a special place in Ugandan athletics, but protecting the legacy of three-time world champion Joshua Cheptegei proved to be a difficult task for Chelimo and his compatriot Dan Kibet on a humid evening at the Japan National Stadium.

A relatively slow pace, influenced by the high temperatures, kept the lead pack tightly grouped for much of the race. The contest was ultimately decided in the final metres, with Frenchman Jimmy Gressier claiming victory in 28:55.77.

Kibet, Cheptegei's understudy, remained with the lead group of 14 runners until the final two laps but was unable to match the late surge, finishing 13th in 29:03.22. Chelimo, who struggled with an injury, finished 18th with a time of 29:26.66.

Chelimo, the 5000m bronze medalist from the Oregon 2022 World Championships, lost contact with the pack after being impeded during the race.

"The leg was painful, but the body was okay," Chelimo told the Monitor after the race, which was his competitive debut in the 10,000m on the track.

He revealed that he had relied on advice from his half-brother Jacob Kiplimo and Cheptegei for the event. "The conditions were nice. I have been training in a hot climate in Italy, so I was not feeling it," Chelimo explained.

"Around the 15th lap, I was stepped on. I struggled for seven laps." He finished the race with his left foot bleeding after another runner's spike pierced his shoe.

In the women's 3000m steeplechase, Loice Chekwemoi finished eighth in her heat with a time of 9:25.34, failing to advance to the final. "I knocked the barrier twice in the sixth lap," Chekwemoi said, pointing to her left knee. "I was very comfortable." Her heat was won by Kenya's Faith Cherotich in 9:13.95.

However, two-time Olympic medalist Peruth Chemutai sent a clear message to her rivals by winning her heat in 9:07.68, the fastest time across all three heats. "It was good," Chemutai said after her wire-to-wire victory. "The weather was okay for me, I am feeling good."