Overview:
Samuel Simba Cherop's bronze was Uganda’s 13th medal at the games organized by the Islamic Sports Solidarity Association (ISSA), the 7th by athletics alone.
2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (5000m men’s finals)
- Gold: Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim (Djibouti) – 13:46:12
- Silver: Birhanu Balew (Bahrain) – 13:46:26
- Bronze: Samuel Simba Cherop (Uganda) – 13:46:45
Uganda’s young long-distance runner, Samuel Simba Cherop, won his second medal at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday night.
Cherop, a silver medalist in the 10,000m race, settled for bronze during the men’s 5,000m finals at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Stadium.
The 18-year-old clocked 13 minutes, 46 seconds and 45 microseconds to finish third for the bronze.
“I am excited to win my second medal. The race was tough, but I gave my level best,” he said.
“I dedicate these medals to the people back home in Kapchorwa, my coaches and training mates. Thank you all. I also say thank you to Uganda Athletics, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the National Council of Sports (NCS) for facilitating us,” he added in his native Sebei language.
Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew (13:46:26), winner of the 10,000m this time, won silver in the 5000m whilst Djibouti’s Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim won the race with a time of 13 minutes, 46 seconds and 12 microseconds.
This was Uganda’s 13th medal at the games organized by the Islamic Sports Solidarity Association (ISSA), the 7th by athletics alone.
The games climax on Friday with Wrestling and Para-Powerlifting.
Rodger Kizza Mukyeda (Manana) will be the last Wrestler after Veronica Ayo and Rebecca Israel Amongi’s bouts.
Dennis Mbaziira will participate in the Para-Powerlifting competition (heavyweight category) at the Boulevard 01B Sports Arena.
There will be an official closing ceremony at the Jenadriyah Camel Racing Track.
At 13 medals in total, this is by far Uganda’s outstanding performance in the 6 editions of the Islamic Solidarity Games since its inception in 2005.