Peruth Chemutai claimed Uganda’s first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with victory in the Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase on Wednesday.

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Ugandan middle-distance runner Winnie Nanyondo qualified for the final of the women’s 1500m after crossing the finish line 4th at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday. 

Nanyondo danced her way off the track with joy after posting 4:01.64 behind Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, Great Britain’s Laura Muir and Australia’s Hall Linden. 

Hassan minimized her fatigue woes to book her spot in the final set for Friday. She ran 4:00:23 to mean clear shots at the 1500m and 10,000m gold after winning the 5000m.

Nanyondo’s tears were quickly washed away after falling short in the 800m semifinals when she crossed 5th and ended up missing a final’s slot on Saturday.

The star’s personal best is 3:59:56 over the 1500m and 7th in the world rankings. She will have to stave off competition in the final from 2016 gold medalist Faith Kipyegon, Hassan, Muir, Hall and Canadian Debues-Stafford Gabriela. 

When to watch Winnie Nanyondo race in the women’s 1500m final; 

Women’s 1500m Final

Date and Time: Fri 6 Aug. (3:50pm EAT) 

Venue: Olympic Stadium

Ugandan middle-distance runner Peruth Chemutai claimed Gold in the 3000m Steeplechase Final after upstaging a world class field at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Wednesday. 

Chemutai rewrote history both for her country and self. We take a look at some of the milestones you can’t afford to overlook.

• Chemutai’s victory in 9:01:45 meant her becoming the first woman from Uganda to ever win Gold at the Olympics. She also doubles as the only woman from Uganda to ever win any medal at the Olympics Games. All medals apart from Chemutai’s have been won by men since 1968 when Eridadi Mukwanga claimed silver in the men’s Bantamweight boxing category.
• Chemutai’s medal is the third Gold medal to ever be won by Uganda at the Olympics. The first gold medal was won by John Akii Bua in the men’s 400m hurdles at the 1972 Munich games. Stephen Kiprotich followed with Gold in the men’s marathon final at the 2012 London Olympics.
• Chemutai’s Gold is the 6th athletics medal in Uganda’s Olympic history after John Akii Bus’s in 1972, Davis Kamoga’s bronze in the men’s 400m at the 1996 Atlanta games, Stephen Kiprotich’s 2012 Gold in London, Joshua Cheptegei’s silver and Jacob Kiplimo’s bronze in the men’s 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Chemutai’s Gold is also Uganda’s 10th medal overall at the Olympics and the third at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics games.
• Chemutai’s 3000m Steeplechase time of 9:01:45 is her new personal best over the distance but also the new national record. Her previous personal best was 9:07.94 which was also the national record.

Peruth Chemutai has won Uganda her first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics after claiming the 3000m steeplechase final on Wednesday. 

Chemutai became the first winner of Gold in any Olympics competition by a Ugandan lady having upstaged top opposition in American Frerichs Courtney and Kenyan Kiyeng Hyvin. 

The Kapchorwa based star posted 9:01:45 to break the national record, Frerichs also running a season best of 9:04:79. 

The 22-year-old started out with a worryingly slow pace before the first hurdle, but quickly drifted to the lead past Kenyans Beatrice Chepkoech and Kiyeng.

And just like her display in the heats in round 1, Chemutai maintained her position until 4th lap when Frerichs took over. She however remained within 3m from the silver medalist’s relentless charge.

With less than 800m to go, Chemutai upped her pace to overtake Frerichs in fine fashion before storming to the finish line like no other.

Memories of Dorcus Inzikuru’s gold at the 2005 Helsinki World Championships when she ended Uganda’s 33-year wait for an athletics world title were summoned.

Her special milestone means Uganda has won three Gold at the Olympics overall. The first Gold was won by John Akii Bua in the 1972 games in Munich over the 400m hurdles.

The second medal was clinched by Stephen Kiprotich at the 2012 London Olympics over the men’s marathon. Chemutai’s record shattering gold is third.

Uganda middle distance runner Winnie Nanyondo stands among the favourites to advance from the semifinal 2 of the women’s 1500m on Wednesday. 

Nanyondo qualified for the semis after coming 2nd in Heat 3 of round 1 clocking 4:02:24 behind Kenyan Faith Kipyegon who was the fastest across the three heats in 4:01:40.

She now meets Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan who is seeking to clinch a treble in the 1500m, 10,000m and 5000m. Progression for her mean a 1500m final on Friday and 10,000m final is Saturday.

It remains to be seen if Hassan’s fatigue will play into the hands of her rivals like Nanyondo following her gold in the women’s 5000m in 14 minutes 36.79 seconds in front of Hellen Obiri of Kenya.

Nanyondo will also need to watch out for Great Britain’s Laura Muir and Australian Hall Linden. Muir qualified from heat 1 of round 1 in 2nd place, posting 4:03:89.

The first 5 will qualify alongside the next 2 fastest overall. 

When to watch Nanyondo compete at the women’s semifinals of the 1500m;

Women’s 1500m Semifinals 2

Date and Time: Wed 4 Aug. (1:12pm EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

Ugandan athletes Ronald Musagala and Leni Shida unfortunately crashed out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday.

Leni finished 6th in 52:48 falling short on her target of 51:47 – also her personal best and national record.

The sprinter was upstaged by heat winner American star Allyson Felix, Jamaican McGregor Roneisha, Vondrova Lada of Czech Republic, Great Britain’s Pipi Ama and Brazilian Marinho Tiffani. 

“I’m so proud to be an Olympian, especially as a sprinter from Uganda,” Leni shared on her social media.

“I myself of course wanted more, my aim was to break my national record and reach the Semi-finals at least, but I have learnt a lot from this experience and I will work harder than before to make the people of Uganda proud.

“In the end I was the second highest African 400 metres runner in Tokyo but I went out in the heats.”

She added; “Thank you for the support. Thank you to my coaches, thank you to the federation for accepting the invitation after I qualified.

“And thank you to Pho3nix Foundation for allowing me to race in Europe. Without that I wouldn’t have made it here.

“As a girl I watched @allysonfelix and wanted to be like her and be an Olympian, today I achieved my dream and raced against my idol. I will keep striving and I will keep rising.”

Musagala unfortunately suffered a DNF after he bowed out due to a muscular problem. He was offered a wheel chair and helped off the track in a bizarre ending. 

Ugandan runners Oscar Chelimo, Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei have advanced to the Tokyo Olympics men’s 5000m final after finishing 4th, 4th and 5th in round 1 on Tuesday.

Chelimo posted 13:39:07 in a photo-finish with American Kincaid William to make it to the next stage. The 19 year-old Ugandan ran a well regulated race and upped his speed just at the right moments to seal his spot.

He kept within the leading pack of heat 1 even though he tried to catch up on two occasions when he drifted to it’s tail.

With 4 laps to go, Chelimo positioned himself well, moving to the middle of the group despite slipping back with 2 laps to the end of the race.

Kenyan nemesis Nicholas Kimeli retained his lead to win in 13:38.87 while Canadian Ahmed Mohammed crossed the white line second in 13:38.96.

Chelimo sprinted home and was destined for 3rd place but slowed down just 3 micro-seconds to surrender his position to Kincaid, nevertheless making the final.

Huge medal favourites Kiplimo and world record holder Cheptegei staved off competition from 6th placed Ethiopian Mengesha Milkesa and 7th placed Brit Butchart Andrew to automatically progress as the final 2 from the top 5.

Cheptegei and Kiplimo didn’t let go of leaders Paul Chelimo of USA, Canada’s Knight Justin and heat winner Katir Mohammed from Spain.

The Ugandan duo kept switching positions in what seemed a really supportive tactic. When Cheptegei shifted to 2nd place, Kiplimo fell into the middle of the leading pack.

With 9 laps to go, Kiplimo upped his pace to propel him back to the top three while Cheptegei fell to 10th place behind South African Mashele Lesiba, USA’s Fisher Grant and many more.

The strategy was just sufficient to allow Cheptegei re-energize as he surged to the front to lead the 3rd and 2nd last laps with confidence.

In the last lap, Cheptegei and Kiplimo sprinted to make sure they were within the margin of qualification for the final in 13:40.61 and 13:30.40 respectively.

When to watch Cheptegei, Kiplimo and Chelimo race again at the Tokyo Olympics men’s 5000m final;

Men’s 5000m Final

Date and Time: Fri 6 Aug. (3:00pm EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

Long distance runners Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo return to the track after winning Uganda her first medals at the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 10,000m final. 

The duo will join Oscar Chelimo as they seek to advance to the final from the men’s 5000m round 1 heats. Only the first five in each heat can be taken, alongside the next 5 fastest overall.

Chelimo who is also Kiplimo’s younger brother will race in heat 1 as he debuts against favourites Canada’s Ahmed Mohammed, Ethiopian Wale Getnet and Kenyan Kimeli Nicholas Kipkorir.

Ahmed finished third in Florence this year in 12:50.12, just ahead of compatriot Justyn Knight (12:51.93) while Getnet won the Ethiopian Olympic Trial race over 5000m, clocking a PB of 12:53.28 to qualify for these games.

Kimeli gets into the mix, following his 8th place at the 2019 Doha World Championships. He leads team Kenya as they pursue success in this category as well.

In heat 2, Cheptegei and Kiplimo team up, in attempt to force a 1-2 after impressing in the 10,000m on Friday. Even though the duo who were favourites lost to Ethiopian Selemon Barega, they both vowed to give it a go again today.

Cheptegei owns the world record for this distance with his 12:35.36 clocking from 2019 while Kiplimo hasn’t been beaten on the track since the 2018 World U20 Championships.

Cheptegei contested the 5000m and 10,000m in Rio and claimed gold in both events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, meanwhile Kiplimo has never doubled up at a major championships.

They will have stave off competition from USA’s 2016 Olympic silver medallist Paul Chelimo, rising Ethiopian Mengesha Milkesa and Spain’s Katir Mohammed.

When to watch Cheptegei, Kiplimo and Chelimo race at the Tokyo Olympics;

Men’s 5000m Round 1 – Heat 1-2

Date and Time: Tue 3 Aug. (1:56pm -2:15pm EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

Ugandan female sprinter Shida Leni is raring to make her debut at the Olympics when she competes at the women’s 400m round 1 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. 

Leni qualified for the games through World Athletics ranking following her impressive outing in Italy and Switzerland where she ran under 52 seconds.

Her major goal is to lower the national record at the Tokyo Olympics she currently owns at 51:47 – also her personal best. She achieved the milestone at the 2019 UAF  National Track and Field Championships. 

Speaking to MTN Sports, Shida said she’s “feeling good” ahead of the race. She will have to make the first 3 in the heat or finish among the next 6 fastest overall to advance to the Semifinals.

35-year old American Felix Allyson is the favourite after qualifying for these Olympics, her fifth and final games. She will compete as a mother, after earning 2nd place at the US Olympic Trials in 50.02.

“It has been a fight to get here, and one thing I know how to do is to fight,” Felix said. “I just did it all the way home.”

Leni will also have to watch out for Brazilian gold medalist at the 2019 and 2021 South American Championships Marinho Tiffani who has also just featured in the 4 X 400m Relay Mixed.

When to watch Shida Leni make her debut at the Tokyo Olympics;

Women’s 400m Round 1 – Heat 3

Date and Time: Tue 3 Aug. (4:01am EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

Ugandan middle-distance runner Ronald Musagala faces a challenging field in the men’s 1500m round 1 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday. 

The 28-year-old who holds the national record will need to make the first 6 in his heat or be among the next 6 fastest overall advance to the semifinals of the event. 

Musagala brings his 2021 Stockholm Diamond League experience after running 3:33:99, closer to his personal best of 3:30:58 set in 2019 at the Monaco Herculis.

Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen, will be the race’s favourite after winning the 1500m/5000m double at the 2018 European Championships at just 17. 

Last year, before his 20th birthday, Jakob broke the European record in the event, clocking 3:28.68 to become the eighth-fastest man of all time.

Another top contender will be Australian Stewart McSweyn. The 26-year-old lowered the Oceania record with his 3:29:51 run in Monaco and finished second at the Doha Diamond League this season. 

Djibouti’s Souleiman Ayanleh enters this race after opting out of round 1 of the men’s 800m heat 6 while Kenyan Simotwo Charles Cheboi, the 2019 African Games bronze medalist also joins the fray.

The other challenge of the race may present in itself in the soaring temperatures of about 37 degrees Celsius, humidity levels also quite high. 

When to watch Ronald Musagala compete at the Tokyo Olympics;

Men’s 1500m Round 1 – Heat 3

Date and Time: Tue 3 Aug. (3:27 am EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium