If anyone knows who Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei is, then he ought to know that this man loves the 10,000m. Cheptegei withstood Ethiopia’s team tactics to claim gold at the Stade de France.
The three-time world champion crossed the finish line with an Olympic record of 26:43.14 for victory on Friday.
Having missed out on that medal in Tokyo, Joshua came to France with one thing on his mind; winning that gold medal. The athletics timetable allowed him to do that on the first day of the track and field.
The Ugandan, who took silver in Tokyo and gold over 5,000m, produced a devastating last 600 metres and his finishing time took 18 seconds off Kenenisa Bekele’s 2008 Olympic record.
It should be remembered that Uganda paint manufacturing giants Kansai Plascon through their “Twaake” (meaning “go and shine”) campaign, gave the Ugandan contingent of 25 athletes a financial boost ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi edged American Grant Fisher by two-hundredths of a second to take silver in 26:43.44.
Courtesy Photos
