Team Uganda secured a bronze to help the country rank as the third-best in world athletics after strong performances at the 2023 World country championships hosted in Bathurst, New Wales, Australia on Saturday.

In total, the country won four medals including one gold and three bronze category medals at the 44th edition of the prestigious championship.  

The gold winning-masterpiece produced by the Commonwealth double gold champion, Jacob Kiplimo, 22, was the highlight of team Uganda’s outing.

Then there was another by the World and Olympics Champion, Joshua Cheptegei, 26, who is returning from injury thrillingly cruising for a podium individual finish in the senior men 10km category.

Making her senior debut, the World Junior back-to-back bronze winner Prisca Chesang inspired the senior women to an impressive show which also fetched a sweet category bronze.

In this category, Prisca Chesang finished 8th, Stella Chesang 11th, Doreen Chesang 12th, Annet Chelangat 14th, Rispa Cherop 17th while the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist placed 33rd.

Another category podium slot came in from the junior men race courtesy of the highly rated Dan Kibet who was denied an individual bronze by the finest of margins at the expense of Ethiopian Boki Diriba.

Here, Uganda only fielded three runners as losing as many to visa-related constraints. Kibet 4th, Ken Kiprop 6th and Hosea Chemutai 11th.

On their first sea level action, the junior women impressively finished fourth overall behind Ethiopia, Kenya and USA, a feat that is still commendable given the fact that this is a team of pretty young athletes with enough room to improve provided they stay focused and work hard in training.

Bentalin Yeko was the fastest Ugandan in U20 women as she finished 14th right behind her was Charity Cherop in the 15th slot while Felister Chekwemoi crossed the line in the 16th position, Peace Chebet was 30th and Risper Cherop 37th.
 
Succinctly, the entire team looked relentless, save for their struggles in the 4x2km mixed relay where Ronald Musagala and co placed 9th in category position after being pipped by the likes of Kenya (eventual winners), Ethiopia (Silver medalists), Australia (bronze winner), USA, Morocco and Cananda.  

Sports Minister Peter Ogwang led the delegation to Australia and was delighted to watch his team but also aware of what needs to be done to achieve even better results.  

“The players, coaches and the athletics federation led by Dominic Otucet and Beatrice Ayikoru did their best and I want to thank them for the job well done,” Ogwang hailed.

On the challenges, the Minister said: “We need to strengthen. I have keenly observed what needs to be done and I will work together with my senior minister (First Lady Janet Museveni) to ensure that these gaps are bridged so that our team is able to perform much better in future.”

Medal Table