09 June 2021 | Athletics

Joshua Cheptegei begins his Wanda Diamond League title charge at the Italian meeting (Golden Gala) in Florence on Thursday, June 10th.

The MTN Uganda-sponsored long-distance runner who broke the 5000m world record at the Monaco Diamond League last year will face a tough field which includes Norwegian prodigy Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Muktar Edris.

Cheptegei targets to break the meeting record of 12:46 over 5000m.

“I believe that with a good organization, the pacers and with also a good field which I see is pretty much strong with the Ethiopian guys, the Canadian guys I believe that the meeting record will be in danger tomorrow,” Cheptegei warned during the pre-race presser.

“I’m pretty much sure that the body is much better than (it was in) Ostrava I hope I can target a time of 12:40 or faster than that.

“I’m happy to be here in Italy, especially racing. I had decided to run at the Rome Diamond League but I never had a chance last year and I took a different path. I come here with new energy, new momentum hoping that the weather is okay to do something for the fans who will be watching us here in Italy,” added the Ugandan runner.

The Golden Gala starts at 7:45pm (EAT) and the 5000m race time is 10:23pm (EAT).

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