By Karien Jonckheere.
Heading into the World Athletics Championships in Budapest after an injury-plagued build-up, many feared Joshua Cheptegei was not in the kind of form to challenge for a third consecutive 10 000m world title.
But the Ugandan proved any doubters wrong in glorious fashion on Sunday night, piling on the pace in the last of 25 laps to storm to a third straight victory over the distance in a time of 27:51.42.
The world record holder over both 5000m and 10 000m led home a top five of Africans with Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo taking the silver in 27:52.60 and Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega the bronze in 27:52.72. His compatriot Berihu Aregawi was fourth and Kenya’s Benard Kibet fifth.
“I am very excited and proud that I have succeeded in winning my third world title in a row,” said a thrilled Cheptegei afterwards. “This was the best possible way to end the season. This might be my last championships at the track, that’s why this gold medal means even more. I am proud that I have an amazing team around me and with our work together we made it possible.”
While Cheptegei may have been there and done it all when it comes to major championship titles, an athlete at the other end of his career – 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo of Botswana also brought glory to the continent, taking silver in the men’s 100m.
In the process, Tebogo set a new national record of 9.88 seconds behind gold medallist Noah Lyles of the USA who took the title in 9.83.
“The one thing I’ve learned at these World Championships is that you have to be very well prepared mentally and emotionally. If anything distracts you, you can go home,” aid a beaming Tebogo afterwards.
“After my first run we sat down with my coach and talked over the things I had to improve. We did the same after the semis. I was absolutely focused on doing what I had to do.
“It’s really a matter of great pride to win this silver medal.”
Earlier in the afternoon there was drama in the 100m semifinals when South African medal hope Akani Simbine false started. Usually known for his slow starts, Simbine couldn’t understand how it had happened.