Uganda’s star long-distance runner, Joshua Cheptegei, has secured his place for the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, Japan. The two-time Olympic gold medalist achieved this feat by surpassing the championship’s qualifying time at the Tokyo Marathon, finishing in an impressive ninth position.
Outstanding Performance at Tokyo Marathon
Cheptegei clocked an exceptional time of 2:05:59, beating the qualifying mark of 2:06:30. His performance in the race was notable, even as Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele clinched the victory. Meanwhile, fellow Ugandan Stephen Kissa finished 25th, failing to meet the necessary standard for qualification.
Cheptegei’s Reaction and Future Focus
Expressing his excitement about the achievement, Cheptegei said,
“I am very excited that I have managed to come among the first 10 in my second marathon. I am still on a learning curve since I transitioned from the track to the marathon.”
Last year, Cheptegei announced his intention to step back from shorter distances such as the 5,000m and 10,000m to focus on the grueling 42km marathon. His recent performance confirms that his decision is paying off as he adapts to the challenges of long-distance racing.
Support from the Uganda Athletics Federation
Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) President Dominic Otuchet hailed Cheptegei’s accomplishment as a significant milestone for Ugandan athletics.
“We are delighted that, making his second appearance in a marathon, Cheptegei finished ninth and qualified for the World Athletics Championship,” Otuchet said.
Cheptegei, who made his marathon debut in Valencia last year with a 37th-place finish, has shown remarkable progress. His qualification for the championship in Tokyo is set to boost his profile on the global stage as he continues his transition from track events to the marathon.
Looking Ahead
With his qualification confirmed, Cheptegei now gears up for the 2025 World Athletics Championship. His journey from a track specialist to a marathon contender represents not only personal growth but also a promising future for Ugandan athletics. Fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating his performance in Tokyo, where he aims to build on this momentum and add more accolades to his career.
