Cheptegei wins gold medal at World Cross Country

 

 

It was sweet revenge for Cheptegei as he recovered from a disastrous outing at the last edition to emerge champion.

 

Cheptegei led a 1-2 Uganda finish with team-mate Jacob Kiplimo close at his heels in the Danish City of Aarhus.

 Cheptegei crosses the finish line to win the Men's senior race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. AFP PHOTO

It was also a huge result for teenager Kiplimo, a junior gold medalist at the last edition in Kampala, who only started running as a senior in November.

 

"I missed it in Kampala so I badly wanted it in Aarhus. It's good that I have won," stated Cheptegei after a close race on a challenging course.

 

 Joshua Cheptegei at the World Cross Country in Kampala in 2017 where he finished in the 30th place. PHOTO: Richard Sanya

Finishing third on the tough course of grass, mud, sand, and watercourse, was two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya.

 

It was undoubtedly Uganda's best performance in the biennial event.

 

Oscar Chelimo had earlier given Uganda bronze in the men's U-20 race while Sarah Chelangat was fourth in the U-20 women just like senior woman Rachael Chebet.

 

Equally impressive also in fourth place was the Dorcus Ajok, Daniel Kiprop, Sylvia Chelangat, and Ronald Musagala quartet.

 

Uganda's best performance at senior level until today had been Moses Kipsiro's silver in 2009 in Jordan.