Janat Chemusto will lead Uganda’s medal chase at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Columbia starting Wednesday 15th to Sunday 19th in a bid to replicate her brilliant performance in Sudan.
Chemusto won a silver in 1,500 meters and gold in 3,000 meters in the East Africa Youth Athletics Championships in Khartoum, and the athlete is targeting more of the same.
She traveled to South America with countrymen, Boniface Sikowo(2000m), Maxwell Rotich (3000m) and Bua Julius Peter (1500m/3000m) also set to battle for top spot with runners from nations like Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The runner boasts of the greatest experience on the contingent, having featured in the 2nd Olympic Youth games in Nanjing, China and Africa Youth Championships where she emerged 1500m silver medalist.
Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otuchet says he is confident the four athletes, guided by coach Barbara Asiimwe, will put up amazing performances.
“We picked four athletes from the various national trials we have had on the calendar. They are the best we have and we are confident they will bring us some medals from Colombia,” he told media.
Geoffrey Balimumiti is the other runner who ought to have the team but did not travel after upgrading to the junior ranks this year. Balimumiti won 800m silver medal last year at the Olympic Youth games in China.