Sunday July 17, 2022 || 10,000m Results
✓Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) – 27:27.43
✓Stanley Waithaka Mburu (Kenya) – 27:27.90
✓Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) – 27.27.97
Uganda’s flag was once again flying high and above after Joshua Cheptegei put up yet a glamorous show as he clinched a gold medal in the Men’s 10,000m at the continuing 2022 World Athletics Championship in Oregon, United States of America.
This means he becomes the fourth man in history to retain the gong having won it in Doha in 2019 when he posted 26:48:36 to beat Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto.
The books of history note the other three men who have managed the same mark are, Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia), Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) and English man Mo Farah.
Into the entertaining race
The world record holder, Cheptegei clinched the heavily contested race after clocking 27 minutes and 27:23 seconds.
The other Ugandan to emerge a podium slot was Jacob Kiplimo who came third to take home a bronze medal (27:27:97).
Kiplimo put in a shift in the final bend going past Olympic champion, Ethiopia’s Selemon Barege who came fifth behind American Grant Fisher missing out on the medals.
In the second place was was Kenya’s Stanley Waithaka Mburu who managed a silver (27:27:90) on the night.
Tactics In the Race
Uganda’s Stephen Kissa moved to the front stretch the 24-man race at the 3km mark going past Olympic winner Barega who erupted through the 5km mark in 14:01.
Kiplimo later moved to the front of the park to continuously split the race to pull a group of 15 which perfectly worked in the favour of Cheptegei.
Heading into the final two laps, Barega and Mburu who was earlier tripped in the race also moved to the front, staging a 400m well-deserved finish in a race that was watched all over the globe.
There was fireworks in the final 400 metres as Cheptegei who had led the park for the greatest time increased the pace. The 25-year-old athlete did not give room to allow Barega to utilise his late kick race plan. This allowed him to cross the line with ease to defend his title.
We are proud of you Joshua!!!