Uganda’s middle-distance athlete Tom Dradriga qualified for the finals of the 1500m men’s race at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games on Monday, 17th November 2025.
During heat one, Dradriga finished 4th after posting a time of 04:02:37 in a race won by Moroccan, Anass Essayi, with a time of 03:59:53 at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium.
Salih Teksoz came second with 03:59:85, whilst Nursultan Keneshbekobov was fourth with 04:00:57
Heat 2 was faster, won by another Moroccan runner, Hafid Rizqy, by 03:51:52, while Turkey’s Mehmet Celik was second with a time of 03:51:80.
The finals will be staged at the same facility on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 (9:15 PM).
“I am mentally and physically ready for the final on Wednesday night. There will be enough time for recovery. I will give my best,” Dradriga, who also runs 800m, remarked after the race in the hot Riyadh weather.
Meanwhile, three more Ugandans will be in action on Monday night, with 3000m steeplechase runner Leonard Chemutai in action alongside four other competitors at 9:30 PM during the finals’ championship.
Josephine Joyce Lalam will compete in the Javelin throw finals at 9:45 PM, whilst the Chelagant duo of Annet and Rebecca shall compete in the women’s final of 10,000m.
On Tuesday night, the duo of Abel Chebet and Samuel Simba Cherop will compete in the finals of the men’s 10,000m at 8:15 PM.
By Monday afternoon, Uganda had won a total of 6 medals so far at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games.
Two gold and a silver from swimmer Anna Gloria Muzito, with three bronze by another swimmer Jesse Ssuubi Ssengonzi, boxer Alfred Ojok and the Table Tennis doubles women’s team of Parvin Judith Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala.
Wrestling and Para-powerlifting will also be Uganda’s other sports at these games.
