Nothing could stop Ugandans from expressing ultimate joy and pride after Joshua Cheptegei smashed the 5000m World record, having posted 12:35.36 at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday.
From promising to give the legendary Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele’s 2004 record of 12:37.35 a shot, to actually breaking it, Ugandans got something to hold onto after a tough first half of the year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
With many congratulatory messages, and praise for those who made it happen, here are some of the reactions;
Superman… pic.twitter.com/MqJfBBUJaR
— Josh Ruby (@IAmJoshRuby) August 14, 2020
Name a better comeback story.
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) August 14, 2020
We'll wait. 😏 pic.twitter.com/rbaCdOWSDh
Joshua Cheptegei breaks 5000M World Record https://t.co/i1A3peuJJb via @kawowosports
— MBU (@MBU) August 14, 2020
BOOM!!! 💥💥💥
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) August 14, 2020
Joshua Cheptegei breaks the 16-year old 5000m World Record! What a run!
Uganda 🇺🇬 to the world! 🤗🤗🤗 pic.twitter.com/SetHCPMU4O
I repeat, Joshua Cheptegei is the greatest Ugandan Sportsman all of time. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/mjXfgLeRaj
— Andrew Kabuura. (@andrewkabuura) August 14, 2020
Joshua Cheptegei has set a new 5,000m world record at the Monaco Diamond League. Well done! pic.twitter.com/SyimMDwCsj
— Patrick Mukasa (@pmukasaofficial) August 14, 2020
Congs Joshua cheptegei 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 More blessings ..For God and my country pic.twitter.com/Tf3P0b4CNB
— R7 (@DjRoja) August 14, 2020
Congratulations Joshua Cheptegei on breaking the 5,000M world record in #Monaco!!!!
— Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (@RebeccaKadagaUG) August 14, 2020
This is a historical moment. Your warning of a possible world record tonight has come to pass. We are very proud of this achievement. pic.twitter.com/qM8i1mYAtK
I congratulate Joshua Cheptegei for breaking world record on 5000m race. You have made us proud .
— Dr. Diana Atwine (@DianaAtwine) August 15, 2020
JOSHUA CHEPTEGEI SETS NEW WORLD RECORD!
— Doreen Nasasira (@DoreenNasaasira) August 14, 2020
World Champion Joshua Cheptegei wins the men's 5000m at the Monaco Diamond League in 12:35.36.
Congratulations Joshua Cheptegei! pic.twitter.com/AQ5AINVXk9
Joshua Joshua Joshua! CHEPTEGEI!!! Watched first Gebreselassie and then Bekele all those years ago, and truly believed nobody could/would run faster, let alone a Ugandan!!! Congs and thanks, you superhero!!! Bursting with pride to be hailing from within the same borders as you!!! pic.twitter.com/FPlkxt01FV
— Mark Ssali (@MarkSsali) August 14, 2020
Congratulations Joshua Cheptegei. It's a new World Record @MbuguaAlvin you need to beat that. pic.twitter.com/MRy1lSfmpK
— CEO AUGOS (@EmmaMugarura) August 14, 2020
What a man! What a record! Hearty congratulations @joshuacheptege1 on setting a new 5000m world record, at the Monaco Diamond League. Uganda is proud of you. You have proven yet again that if you work hard with resilience, there is nothing you cannot achieve. pic.twitter.com/FESuODrLV7
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) August 15, 2020
Congratulations to @joshuacheptege1 who has set a new 5,000m world record at the #MonacoDL. You have brought honour, pride and joy to your country. Well done! pic.twitter.com/UcApM2D4kz
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 14, 2020
Congratulations Cheptegei, otuwonyeza kelele ya kaana k'embaata, ne presidential advisors.
— Iamfavored (@Iamscovia) August 15, 2020
He lifts the nothing to something and makes them sit with the royals. https://t.co/1FZm1srzSm
Joshua Cheptegei carrying Uganda on his shoulders for a whole 12:35:36 minutes. 2020 G.O.A.T pic.twitter.com/IZn2ju8n3N
— God's son (@circles_k) August 15, 2020
You know it's tweni-tweni when Joshua Cheptegei is a better athlete than Cristiano & Messi in the same year
— God's son (@circles_k) August 15, 2020
The list of women and men who can lecture me on true patriotism and carrying the Black Yellow Red is unsurprisingly short. One of the gentlemen on that list is Joshua Cheptegei. pic.twitter.com/2RFfsDHKpG
— Kalema Musisi Solomon (@solomonkalema1) August 15, 2020
This guy is another thing,, congs @joshuacheptege1
— BonasNStyles (@n_bonas) August 15, 2020
Vote ✅ Joshua Cheptegei come 2021 pic.twitter.com/K0FG1Fc01D
Big up our man!!! That means a lot to our country.Where did you leave the Kenyans?!
Sweet victory, let us savour this moment.