07 August 2021 | Athletics

Ugandan world record holder Joshua Cheptegei claimed gold in the men’s 5000m at the Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old ran 12:58:15 to seal his spot among the world’s greatest long distance runners.

We take a look at the milestones Cheptegei has made after clinching legendary status with the gold medal at the events;

• Cheptegei’s 5000m gold meant he’s the second Ugandan to win two medals at the Olympics games. He followed the footsteps of Leo Rwabogo - a flyweight boxer - who won bronze and silver at the 1968 and 1972 games respectively.
• Cheptegei’s gold helped him become the first Ugandan athlete to claim a medal double in the same Olympics games. This follows his first medal at the games that he won in the 2020 Tokyo men’s 10,000m. He finished 2nd to claim silver while fellow Jacob Kiplimo came 3rd to seal bronze.
• Cheptegei’s gold also put the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the most successful games for Uganda since the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Munich editions. Cheptegei’s gold was the fourth medal Uganda has collected at the 2020 Tokyo edition - 2 more than what the country managed at the 1968 and 1972 games.
• The gold was Uganda’s fourth in Olympic history. The other three were won by John Akii Bua at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Stephen Kiprotich at the 2012 London Olympics and Peruth Chemutai at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• It is the category of Athletics that has brought Uganda her only gold (4) at the Olympics. Uganda has now won a total of 11 medals in Olympic history.

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