Last weekend Victor Kiplangat emerged as the newly crowned champion of the Men’s Marathon at the World Athletics Championships, a moment that left him in disbelief. With a heart full of gratitude, he expressed his happiness during an interview with NBS Sport, thanking the people of Uganda for their unwavering support.
“I still can’t believe I’m the champion, even up to now,” he admitted, his voice filled with humility. “However, when I watch the videos, it gives me more courage to work harder for the next task.”
Reflecting on the race, Victor recounted a pivotal moment with just 4 kilometers left. He had broken away from Gebresilase, sprinting towards the finish line. Victor admitted that he had been prepared for the possibility of a silver medal but was pleasantly shocked when his strategy paid off. His confidence in his finishing speed had prevailed.
He went on to emphasize the significance of Uganda’s presence on the athletics map. “Winning medals at this event is a great achievement for our country,” he said passionately. “We have a lot of talent in Uganda, and within 5 years, our athletes will be bringing home more gold medals as long as we receive the support we need.”
In a touching moment, Victor credited his brother, Jacob Kiplimo, who, despite being injured, had encouraged him to go and defend the family’s honor during the race. They were a family gifted with athletics, and Victor was grateful for the blessing they shared.
He also took a moment to acknowledge his wife, who had been his rock for the past 7 years. “My wife didn’t watch the race because of the tension,” he revealed, a smile breaking through. “She waited for the results, always praying for me during training. She stood by my side, and now, I know I need to take care of her too.”
