Uganda’s long distance star runner, Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei has on Sunday morning won the 5000m gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Despite a slow start, Cheptegei’s powerful kick in the last five of 12.5 laps’ race shocked many who had written him off.
He thus crossed the finish line in a time of 13:50.83 for his first gold at senior level. This was also Uganda’s first gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed finished with 13:52.78 to take second place and the silver medal.
Meanwhile, Kenyan teenager Edward Zakayo got bronze with a time of 13:54.06.
Another Ugandan, Thomas Ayeko finished fourth in 13:54.78 and Phillip Kipyeko took 6th place.
Joshua Cheptegei won silver at the 2017 World Championships.
During the past 6 months, he has run the world’s second fastest 15k race ever at the Seven Hills Race Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen, Netherlands.