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Uganda’s strongest team ever heads to Belgrade tomorrow, seeking honours in all categories at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Led by the reigning and former World cross country champions Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei, a contingent of 27 Ugandan athletes heads to Serbia seeking to set a new mark on the event 30 March 2024 in Friendship Park, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
Kiplimo secured gold in the men’s category at the last edition in Bathurst, Australia. He comfortably won the 10-kilometer race in 29:17.02 seconds, followed by Aragawi Bet from Ethiopia and compatriot Cheptegei, who secured bronze.
The senior men’s champion and world half marathon record-holder Kiplimo is confident he can rise to a new challenge.
“My preparations are going well,” he said recently.
The Ugandan team has been in camp at Trinity Bible Institute under the guidance of Coach Benjamin Njia for nearly a month.
“We expect to go for individual gold and silver, we expect also a team gold, and for the senior women, this time the team is so stronger, we shall vie for individual medals and also a better team medal compared to last year’s bronze medal,” said a confident Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation.
The team includes six athletes for the senior men’s event, featuring Leonard Chemutai, Joshua Cheptegei, Dan Kibet, Hosea Kiplangat, defending champion Jacob Kiplimo, and Martin Magengo Kiprotich. The senior women’s team comprises Rachael Zena Chebet, Loice Chekwemoi, Annet Chemengich Chelangat, Sarah Chelangat, Belinda Chemutai, and Joy Cheptoyek.
The U20 category has Isella Chebet, Keziah Chebet, Vicky Chekwemboi, Charity Cherop, Nowel Cheruto, Dolphine Chelimo, Hosea Chemutai, Simba Samuel Cherop, Harbert Kibet, Titus Musau, and Sailas Rotich are expected to compete. Additionally, the mixed relay team includes Knight Aciru, Linda Chebet, Hosea Kiprop, and Sam Kapkerung Kiprotich.
“The junior men are also strong and we expect them to vie for both individual and team medals. The other area where we have not won a medal is the mixed relay, we hope this time we shall improve from last year’s.” Otuchet added. Kenya emerged victorious in last year’s mixed relay, finishing seven seconds ahead of Ethiopia.
Uganda aims to make significant progress in this category as well. Otuchet also mentioned that some athletes are yet to secure visas, although specific names were not disclosed. However, he assured that the Federation is diligently working to ensure all athletes obtain the necessary travel documents well within the timeframe.
Source: The Independent