Peter Chelangat, the quiet force driving Kiplimo’s medal haul

As Ugandans continue to celebrate the remarkable achievements of long-distance star Jacob Kiplimo, one critical piece of the success story often goes unnoticed ; the coaches who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

While athletes are rightly praised when they win, coaching contribution is frequently overlooked, only coming into focus when performances dip.

Yet, no athlete rises to the very top alone.

For those who have closely followed Kiplimo’s journey, one name stands out as inseparable from his success: Peter Chelangat, the coach who has walked with him from his formative years to global dominance.

Chelangat and Kiplimo first crossed paths between 2014 and 2015, when the young runner was competing for Arua Athletics Club. From that moment, a strong professional bond was formed, one that has endured to this day. Even after Kiplimo joined Rosa Associati Management in 2017, Chelangat remained his coach, overseeing all his national training programs while working in collaboration with Italy-based coach Iacopo Brazi for international preparations.

Reflecting on his role in guiding one of the world’s most successful distance runners, Chelangat is quick to shift the focus away from himself.

“I thank God for giving me the opportunity and grace to coach an elite athlete like Jacob,” Chelangat said. “I do not do this alone. It is a collective effort, and I cannot take all the credit. Kiplimo’s success is a result of teamwork.”

Chelangat emphasizes that turning a promising athlete into a global star requires total commitment from both coach and athlete. According to him, coaching goes beyond designing training sessions; it demands trust, discipline, patience and shared belief.

“The coach must ensure that the athlete follows the right training program, and the athlete must accept and adapt to it,” he explained. “We train smart, but we also apply faith in God, and that is how things prevail.”

This philosophy has paid off handsomely. Most recently, Kiplimo clinched his third consecutive gold medal at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, further cementing his status as one of Uganda’s greatest athletes. Yet even in moments of triumph, Chelangat notes that coaches rarely receive public recognition, a reality he says they have grown accustomed to.

“I believe that with time, Ugandans, government, the media and all stakeholders will understand that coaches carry the same, if not more, burden than athletes,” Chelangat said. “Coaches also need to be recognized and appreciated for their contribution to success.”

During his time as Jacob Kiplimo’s coach, the pair have secured 19 medals ; nine gold, six silver, and four bronze.

For all years he has coached Kiplimo, Chelangat describes Jacob Kiplimo’s triple victory at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships as his most treasured moment.

“Being given the chance by God to witness Kiplimo win three consecutive gold medals at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will always be my most treasured moment. It is one of the experiences I will live to tell. You cannot imagine how special that is to me,” Chelangat said with a smile.

Beyond Kiplimo, Chelangat continues to nurture other athletes he believes are future stars, including Titus Musau and Abraham Cherotich. He urges fellow coaches to remain cooperative, patient and united, stressing that growth in coaching, just like in athletics, takes time.

Chelangat’s story is a timely reminder that behind every champion stands a dedicated coach- guiding, correcting, encouraging and believing long before the world starts applauding.