Ayeko hits World qualifying mark
Simon Ayeko hit the World Athletics Championships qualifying mark, after clocking of 8 minutes 29.39 seconds at the World Military Games that are taking place at the Jao Havalenge stadium in Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil.
By Norman Katende
Simon Ayeko hit the World Athletics Championships qualifying mark, after clocking of 8 minutes 29.39 seconds at the World Military Games that are taking place at the Jao Havalenge stadium in Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil.
Ayeko, who had finished the semifinals in second position with a time of 8 minutes 49 seconds, this time hung on until the finish line, before he beat Moroccan Hechlaf Abdelkader by 0.05 seconds.
The time he posted was inside the World championships qualifying mark of 8:32.00, bringing to three the number of steeplechase athletes that have qualified for the World event.
Benjamin Kiplagat and Jacob Araptany are the other runners that have qualified for the World championships.
“It was a tough race. I am happy that I am winning my first medal in such a competition,†he said in a message to New Vision.
Rebecca Cheptegei, another runner from the Uganda People’s Defense Forces finished third in the women 5000m final.
The two medals managed to propel Uganda to the medal table and are now lying in 35th position, tied with Canada and Belgium.
World Military Games
Results
3000mSC
1. Simon Ayeko (UGA) 8:29.39
2. Hechlaf Abdelkader (MAR) 8:29.43
3. Abubaker Kamal (AT) 8:30.71
5000m
1. Habtegebrel Shitaye (BRN) 15:52.84
2. Tejitu Chalchissa (BRN) 15:54.51
3. Rebecca Cheptegei (UGA) 16:00.26
Simon Ayeko hit the World Athletics Championships qualifying mark, after clocking of 8 minutes 29.39 seconds at the World Military Games that are taking place at the Jao Havalenge stadium in Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil.
Ayeko, who had finished the semifinals in second position with a time of 8 minutes 49 seconds, this time hung on until the finish line, before he beat Moroccan Hechlaf Abdelkader by 0.05 seconds.
The time he posted was inside the World championships qualifying mark of 8:32.00, bringing to three the number of steeplechase athletes that have qualified for the World event.
Benjamin Kiplagat and Jacob Araptany are the other runners that have qualified for the World championships.
“It was a tough race. I am happy that I am winning my first medal in such a competition,†he said in a message to New Vision.
Rebecca Cheptegei, another runner from the Uganda People’s Defense Forces finished third in the women 5000m final.
The two medals managed to propel Uganda to the medal table and are now lying in 35th position, tied with Canada and Belgium.
World Military Games
Results
3000mSC
1. Simon Ayeko (UGA) 8:29.39
2. Hechlaf Abdelkader (MAR) 8:29.43
3. Abubaker Kamal (AT) 8:30.71
5000m
1. Habtegebrel Shitaye (BRN) 15:52.84
2. Tejitu Chalchissa (BRN) 15:54.51
3. Rebecca Cheptegei (UGA) 16:00.26