Joshua Cheptegei may have pulled out of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, but the Ugandan star insists the country’s hopes remain in safe hands with Victor Kiplangat.
Speaking after a training session at Chemwania playgrounds in Kween District, Cheptegei urged Ugandans to rally behind the defending marathon champion as he prepares to chase back-to-back world titles.
“Ugandans should keep a close eye on Kiplangat because he is in the right shape and has what it takes to make us proud,” Cheptegei said.
Peruth Chemutai, Uganda’s Olympic steeplechase champion, echoed his confidence.
She described Kiplangat’s resilience and discipline as qualities that make him stand out from the pack and the country’s best chance for gold in Tokyo.
Kiplangat heads into the September 15 race as the reigning champion, having struck gold in Budapest two years ago.
His victory then made him only the second Ugandan ever to win a world marathon title, after Stephen Kiprotich.
This time, he faces strong competition from Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Deresa Geleta, as well as Kenya’s Vincent Ngetich, but support at home is firmly behind him.
