Five Ugandans were in action at the Olympic games in the last three days and neither have scooped a medal in any sport despite awe-inspiring performances from a few.
Uganda Boxer Ronald Serugo went into the ring on Saturday night and succumbed to a 2-1 loss against Armenian opponent Narek Abgaryan in the Men’s fly 52.
Ronald impressed from the start in front of legendary Floyd Mayweather Jnr but several allegations of unfair results rocked after Narek was declared winner.
Mayweather made entry into the arena a couple of minutes into the third round to supposedly cheer Uganda’s Serugo who received massive support from Brazilians in the crowds.
Ronald Serugo in action against Narek © GETTY IMAGES
There was an un-usual delay in the compilation of results for the bout and when the Judge announced that Narek had emerged winner, the crowds booed the officials in total disbelief.
Serugo exited the events after winning only one of the judges’ verdicts, losing two to Narek who progressed to the round of 16.
Fellow countryman Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei didn’t disappoint either in the finals of the 10,000m, finishing 6th out of 34 athletes.
Joshua Cheptegei at the 2014 IAAF Championships Courtesy Photo
Cheptegei ran a personal best of 27:10:06 despite losing to Britain’s Mo Farah who crossed the finish line after 27:05:17.
Other Ugandans in the same race – Moses Kurong and Timothy Torotich – got 22nd and 23rd positions respectively in 28:03:38 and 28:04:84.
On Sunday, another Ugandan athlete- Adero Nyakisi fell to grasses from grace despite securing a season best at the Olympic Stadium in Rio.
Adero managed to make a distant 68th out of 133 runners in the women’s marathon that Kenya’s Jemima Samgong won after holding off Bahrain’s Eunice Kirwa in 2:24:04.
She helplessly handed the next opportunity to timely hero Stephen Kiprotich and compatriots in the same field Solomon Mutai and Jackson Kiprop in the men’s version who run Sunday.
Stephen Kiprotich emerged winner at the London Olympics in 2012. Will Rio 2016 be a repeat? Courtesy Photo
Kiprotich and company will get underway at 3:30 pm Ugandan time and this is where all Ugandans are hopeful a medal might surface.
Jacob Araptany has also qualified for the 3000m steeplechase finals at the Rio Olympics after he finished second overall in 8:21.53 just behind winner Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto who posted 8:21.40, a difference of just 13 micro seconds.
Fellow Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat did not make the mark as he finished as he managed 14th in the first heat, in 8:20.35, 19th overall to join the other crop that have exited the tournament.
So far, 11 Ugandans are out of the Rio Olympics; Swimmers Jamila Lunkuse and Joshua Ekirikubinza, Boxers Kennedy Katende and Ronald Serugo, and runners Peruth Chemutai, Juliet Chekwel, Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei, Moses Kurong, Timothy Torotich, Adero Nyakisi and Benjamin Kiplagat.
