Chesang’s marathon effort lifts Uganda’s World Championships hopes

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Uganda’s start to the World Athletics Championships has not been particularly exciting, but there are signs that something big could still happen.

Day one saw Leonard Chemutai and Knight Aciru bow out in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and women’s 1500m heats, respectively.

Hope came in the form of Joy Cheptoyek, who finished seventh in the women’s 10000m final, while teammates Sarah Chelangat and Rebecca Cheptegei did not finish. Cheptoyek showed promise and indicated that with more effort, she could achieve even better results.

On day two, Stella Chesang opened Uganda’s account in the marathon with a strong 12th-place finish in a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 13 seconds.

Chesang injected hope into Uganda’s ambitions with a tactical and disciplined race, though she was undone by the humid conditions and steep inclines near the end.

At one point, the Ugandan looked on course for a bronze medal but faded in the final kilometre of a race won by Kenya’s Perez Chepchirchir, ahead of Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Julia Paternain of Uruguay.

The top two engaged in a thrilling battle to the finish line, with the Kenyan eventually launching a decisive attack that sealed victory.

Chesang, a national record holder, ultimately delivered a commendable performance, even if it was not her very best. Though overtaken by several competitors in the closing stages, she still gave Uganda reason for optimism with her effort.

Her display may not have yielded a medal, but it offered hope for the rest of the Ugandan team heading into the next events.

Sunday is expected to bring more action, with Dan Kibet and Oscar Chelimo set to compete in the men’s 10000m final later in the day.