Ugandan Isaac Kibet impressively shrugged off competition to clinch bronze at the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday. 

Kibet, who is attached to Uganda Prisons Athletics Club, started strong and crossed the line in 1:01:25 after overcoming challenges from Tanzanian Fabiano Nelson Sulle and Kenya’s Isaac Kipsang Temoi.

The 21-year-old Ugandan who is only returning from an injury he sustained in June, held the duo at bay to ensure he finished within the medal bracket.

“It has been several months of healing, recovering, reconditioning and preparatory training and I am glad it has ended in a medal,” Kibet said. 

“I thank God because we can build on from here and see how far we can go as a team,” he said

Kibet who has been deployed as world record holder Jacob Kiplimo’s pacesetter on several occasions has now put himself in pole position to qualify for the upcoming international events.

His coach Peter Chelangat was thrilled to watch his runner breeze to glory in his first international race after the two-month layoff. 

"Kibet trains diligently and that is why he was able to achieve what he has attained today and I give glory back to God," Chelangat said. 

The race was won by Kenya’s Charles Kipkurui Langat who clocked 01:00:46 and Ethiopian Adane Azyele Dinkalen came home in a time of 01:00:48 to scoop silver.