ATHLETICS | WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP | CHEPTEGEI

There has been a public concern among sports fanatics following the “no show of Joshua Cheptegei,” from the Ugandan 2023 World Cross Country Championships contingent that departed earlier this week.

The concern emanated from the fact that indeed Cheptegei, 26, the defending champion of the event did not appear in the flag-off ceremony photos shared by the team coaches and sports officials.

The towering speedy merchant was also absent from the team at the airport both at departure (Entebbe) and arrival (Sydney).

In the shared photos, the only big names that appeared include Jacob Kiplimo who won silver in the previous edition in Aarhus, Denmark 2019, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold winner Stella Chesang, 1500m national record holder Ronald Musagala and Mercyline Chelangat the reigning half marathon champion among other runners featured.

Jacob Kiplimo and coach Benjamin Njia take a selfie upon the team's arrival to Sydney. Cheptegei did not use the same flight. Courtesy Photo

Joel Kwemboi, a fan wrote to his Twitter handle, “Something seems not to add up here, where is King JOSH?”

Another ardent athletics follower, Oscar Wanyama on Facebook cried out; “Cheptegei’s absence from the team’s official photos might be related to visa issues. Someone needs to explain this.”

Back home in his native Kapchorwa district, Isaac Sande, a fan, was also concerned about the development, “though we have got a very good national team for the championships, it will still be a big setback to miss Cheptegei.”

Their concerns were encapsulated by the fact that in the last major competition, the country took part in (the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham city in England), Cheptegei was ruled out with an injury he sustained in the American city of Eugene in Oregon State during the 5000m finals at the World Athletics Championships.

Now, in our exclusive interview with national athletics coach Benjamin Njia who traveled to Australia with the team has turned out that though he did not fly together with his teammates, the fit again Cheptegei the World and Olympics champion successfully obtained his visa and was able to travel much earlier than the rest of the squad.

“He left before us,” Njia clarified, “his flight was a couple of hours ahead of ours.”

The celebrated coach urged the fans to calm down, “Because we have now linked up with Cheptegei and he is already giving inspirational talks to his teammates.”  

Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo won gold and silver respectively in the last edition of WXC Championships in Arhus, Denmark. (Photo by Javier Silas Omagor)

“Cheptegei is in good shape both mentally and physically. He is determined to make history again and the weather conditions in Bathurst are favoring him and the rest of the team at least for now.”  

It should be remembered that on January 1 (2023) Cheptegei, a senior ranking police officer (Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP) traveled to Spain to take part in the famous Valencia San Silver 10K.

Cheptegei was full-on and thrilling to watch as he went on to win the competition in style. He often looked like an athlete in search of his X-Factor despite a three-month injury layoff.

Cheptegei and Stella Chesang, 26 are team Uganda’s captains at the championships which will take place at Bathurst, New Wales, Australia on Saturday, 18.

Hopefully, Cheptegei will repay his fans who suffered the now short-lived absence scare by putting in his usual strong podium performances.

Though the world record holder (5000m and 10000m) was not affected, three junior runners were denied visas to Australia meaning the contingent was reduced from 28 to 25.

The unfortunate youngsters included; Feb Chelogoi, Allan Kibet, and Silas Rotich who have now returned to Kapchorwa, the long-distance training hub. 

The development leaves Uganda with only three junior athletes in their sub-team including Dan Kibet, Kenneth Kiprop, and Hosea Chemutai.

After the opening ceremony, the competition will start with the mixed relay (8km), followed by the junior women's (6km) and men's (8km) races.

The senior women's and men's races (10km) will follow and finally the medal ceremonies.