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Cheptegei concedes failure to win 10,000M spurred him on to win 5,000M Gold

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David GOMBE

After painfully missing out on the 10000M Olympic gold to Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega last Friday, Uganda’s long distance global icon Joshua Cheptegei had to settle for silver but was not to be denied gold again in the 5000M.

Olympic gold was the only missing piece in his collection and Uganda’s Golden boy delivered it on Friday, 6th August inside an empty National stadium.

Cheptegei who became the first Ugandan to win the 5000M race in a time of 12:58:15 seconds expressed his delight upon clinching his Tokyo 2020 games target.

“It’s really a great moment. I made a small mistake and I was regretting for having become a silver medallist.”

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I came here to become an Olympic champion and my dream has been fulfilled.”

I was mentally strong because I broke a couple of World records.”

The icon also hailed his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo for helping him achieve the remarkable achievement

“I thank Jacob for the teamwork. He is a great sparring partner whom I have raced and trained with.”

Said Cheptegei.

Cheptegei succeeds Great Britain’s Mo Farah as the 5000M Olympic champion. He also becomes the first Ugandan to win two medals at a single Olympic event.

Cheptegei now seals his legacy as Uganda’s greatest sports personality ever.

The 10000M and 5000M World record holder becomes the country’s fourth Olympic gold medallist after John Akii Bua in (Munich 1972), Stephen Kiprotich heroics in (London2012) and most recently Peruth Chemutai in the 3000M Steeplechase (Tokyo 2020).

After Cheptegei’s astonishing performance, Uganda’s flag went to the skies of Tokyo as the National Anthem was played for the second time in a week.

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