Team Uganda has registered a sweet gold and silver win at the ongoing World Mountain Race and Trail Championship 2023 in Austria.

The two prestigious medals emanated from a flawless performance by the keenly watched prospects: Hosea Chemutai and James Kirwa in the Junior Men category, on Saturday, June 10.

Chemutai unleashed his skillset to shake off stiff competition in the 6-kilometre mountainous event to return home with glory.

The Ugandan was unstoppable for a considerable amount of time during the race en route to winning his country's first gold medal of the championship.

Running right behind him was the promising talent, Kirwa who, on a few occasions, pushed his leading compatriot to the limits.

In the end, Kirwa engaged his A-game gears to leave the other competitors for dust when he wheeled up to ensure a fantastic 1:2 finish for team Uganda as he clinched silver.

The dou was the only entry for team Uganda in the category and the coaches including team officials we're thrilled by their magnificent outing.

One of those impressed by the victory was Beatrice Ayikoru the Uganda Athletic Federation Secretary who is also a council member at the World Athletics.

"I congratulate them on such outstanding performance which also sees them combine to win the team gold for Uganda since two or more athletes score for the team through their performance," Ayikoru said.

The junior men's race entailed a 3km uphill segment followed by a 3km downhill stretching to 6km.

The terrain offered different challenges for the junior competitors.

The junior men's brilliant victor adds to an impressive showing by their compatriot Levi Kiprotich won braved the torrid terrain to win silver in the senior men's event.

Eluid Cherop came close, but not close enough for the medal bracket when he finished fourth in the same race while another Ugandan, Dismas Yeko, placed seventh.

By press time, the senior women category's trio Annet Chelangat, Rebecca Cheptegei, and Immaculate Chemutai were readying to embrace their chance of adding to Uganda's medal haul. 

Unfortunately, Uganda was not able to send a junior women's squad due to visa challenges.

Team Uganda is being coached by experienced tactician Paul Okello.