Five Ugandan athletes begin quest for gold at World U20 Championships
Five Ugandan athletes will be in action today, with hopes of securing the nation's first medal of the championships.
Courtesy photo
Athletics schedule at U20: Thursday
5000m women: 5:33am
Charity Cherop and Bantaline Yeko
5000m men: 6:20am
3000mSc men: 8:05am
Jeremiah Kwembo
Solomon Andiema and Michael Kibet
After returning from the Commonwealth Games without a gold medal, Uganda's attention now turns to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, USA, where the country's brightest young talents will be aiming to put Uganda back on the medal podium.
Five Ugandan athletes will be in action today, with hopes of securing the nation's first medal of the championships.
The day's programme begins with the women's 5,000m final, where Charity Cherop and Bantaline Yeko will represent Uganda before Solomon Andiema and Michael Kibet line up in the men's 5,000m final. Later, Jeremiah Kwemoi will compete in the men's 3,000m steeplechase.
All eyes will be on Cherop, who enters the competition as one of Uganda's strongest medal prospects. The 19-year-old has built an impressive resume at junior level, winning silver in the 5,000m at the 2024 World U20 Championships before claiming another bronze at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in the junior women's race.
Earlier this year, Cherop added the African U20 title to her growing list of achievements, cementing her status as one of the continent's most promising distance runners.
The Oregon championships also mark an emotional milestone for the youngster, as it will be her final appearance in the junior ranks before graduating to senior competition. A medal would provide the perfect farewell to a successful junior career.
Joining her is 18-year-old Bantaline Yeko, another rising star in Uganda's long-distance running programme. The reigning African U20 champion over 3,000m will be making her mark in the 5,000m and is targeting her first medal on the global stage after an impressive season.
Uganda's hopes are equally alive in the men's 5,000m, where Michael Kibet and Solomon Andiema will be seeking breakthrough performances. Andiema played a key role in Uganda's junior men's team that won the silver medal at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Jeremiah Kwemoi will also be looking to make an impact as Uganda continues its search for championship honours. After helping Uganda win the team silver medal at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, he will be aiming to claim his first individual medal on the world stage.