The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has congratulated the new 5000M World record holder Joshua Cheptegei.
Cheptegei broke the men’s 5000m World record with a stunning 12:35.36 at the Herculis Monaco Diamond League on Friday, 14th August 2020, shattering a record set by Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele (12:35:36) set in 2004.
In a tweet via his official personal handle, Museveni emphasized the essence of Cheptegei’s magnificent performance.
Cheptegei also hailed the supportive team that he worked with; staff, coach and the family support as he prepared for this race.
I think Monaco is a special place and it’s one of these places where I could break the world record. It took a lot of mind setting to keep being motivated this year because so many people are staying at home but you have to stay motivated.I pushed myself, I had the right staff with me, the right coach. I’m also usually based in Europe, but being based in Uganda with my family was actually great. I will for sure celebrate the world record when I get home.
Joshua Cheptegei
How Cheptegei made it:
Cheptegei who was following right behind the pacers Roy Hoorwe (Netherlands) and Matthew Ramsden (Australia), split 2:31.87 for the first kilometer.
The following kilometer they covered almost identically 2:31.90.
After the 2500m, Cheptegei took the lead and again clocked 2.31 (7:35.14 for 3000m).
He maintained the pace exactly the same posting 2:31 at 4000m.
Finally, Cheptegei sealed the race with 2:30.32 final kilometer and to break the 16-year-old record.
Cheptegei thanked his working crew, family, President Museveni, Janet Museveni (Minister of Education and Sports) as well as the state minister Hamson Denis Obua.
