Teen sensation Loice Chekwemoi set for World Athletics debut in Tokyo

Achievements

2024 Africa championships- Gold- 3000m steeplechase

2024  World Under 20 athletics championships – Silver -3000m steeplechase

2024 world cross country championships- Bronze

As Uganda gears up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for September 13–21, the spotlight this time falls on Loice Chekwemoi, one of the youngest rising talents set to grace the global stage.

At just 18 years old, Chekwemoi will be making her senior debut in the 3000m steeplechase, an event that has brought Uganda global recognition through stars like Joshua cheptegei , Jacob Kiplimo, Halima Nakaayi and Peruth Chemutai.

For many, the thought of seeing Chekwemoi line up alongside Chemutai in Tokyo is not only exciting but also a reflection of Uganda’s growing depth in women’s distance running.

Chekwemoi’s rise is nothing short of inspirational. Her journey mirrors the effectiveness of Uganda’s athletics development pipeline, where talent is identified early, nurtured through school competitions, and gradually groomed for international success. Starting from her secondary school days, Chekwemoi has steadily climbed the ladder dominating at the continental level and now earning her place at the world level.

Her list of achievements at such a tender age is already impressive. She is the World U20 silver medalist in the 3000m steeplechase and the current African champion in the same event. Ranked 77th in the world, Chekwemoi secured her spot in Tokyo through world rankings a clear indication of her consistency and ability to compete with the best.

Her coach at the World U20 athletics Championships, Joshua Kibet, has high hopes for her. Chekwemoi will open her campaign on September 15 in the heats, where she will be aiming to secure a spot in the finals.

“She is dedicated when training, she is disciplined and strong-minded. I really see her running in the finals of the 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships,” Kibet emphasized.

For a teenager to draw such confidence from her coach speaks volumes about her work ethic and potential. Chekwemoi represents more than individual talent; she symbolizes a new wave of Ugandan runners ready to carry the baton from one generation to another.

With stars like Chemutai continuing to inspire and rising athletes like Chekwemoi stepping into the limelight, Uganda’s athletics future appears brighter than ever. For Chekwemoi, Tokyo 2025 will not just be a debut it will be the stage where she begins to carve her name into the country’s athletics history.