Kiplangat conquers the world, Kissa impresses

World Athletics Championships
Results 
1. V. Kiplangat (2:08.52)
2. M. Tefere (2:09.12)
3. L. Gebresilase (2:09.19)
4. T. Ramakongoana (2:09.57)
5. S. Kissa (2:10.22)

Victor Kiplangat is the new men's marathon world champion.

Last year, he conquered the Commonwealth, today he has taken it a notch higher - conquering the world.

Kiplangat is a bonafide star, winning Uganda's second medal at the World Championships in Budapest, a second gold to join Joshua Cheptegei's in the 10,000m.

Teammate Stephen Kissa, who was tripped and fell 1 hour 36 minutes into the race finished fifth. It was a heroic fight back from Kissa, the national record holder.

Kiplangat has Uganda's second fastest marathon time behind Kissa, but major championships are about mettle as much as speed.

And Kiplangat has big-stage mettle in spades. He outlasted a hugely talented field that had 10 runners with faster personal bests. The last of Kiplangat's challengers was Ethiopian Leul Gebresilase, who hang with the Ugandan in the final kilometers.

But by the time Kiplangat crossed the tape, Gebresilase could hardly stand, his legs wobbling. Gebresilase was passed with the finishing line in sight by Israel's Maru Tefere.

By then, Kiplangat had the Ugandan flag draped around his shoulders, soaking in his epic victory, which will come with a prize of $70,000 (sh262m). Kissa will bag $11,000 (sh42m).

Kiplangat became Uganda's second world champion, joining Stephen Kiprotich, who won the world medal in 2013. 

Kiprotich won Uganda's first global marathon gold at the 2012 Olympic Games, while Solomon Mutai claimed bronze at the 2015 World Athletics Championships.

Victor Kiplangat is now the golden boy of the sport, not just in Uganda but world over.