Banking on Cheptegei

There is no Ugandan athlete who would have desired to be in front of the home crowd at the 2017 IAAF World Cross-country Championships more than Moses Kipsiro.

By far, Kipsiro boasts of the greatest Cross-country career amongst his peers. “It was tough but I had to skip this,” Kipsiro recounted his decision to skip the World X-country due tomorrow.

With an unprecedented six national titles, the 30-year-old has represented Uganda at the seven successive World X-country events from Fukuoka 2006 to Bydgoszcz 2013 - another record.

On January 14, Kipsiro was in Kololo for the qualifier to the national team that will represent Uganda but he opted not to run. “I wish I could but my body could not allow me to,” he said with the persistent knee problem in mind.

Even in his absentia, Kipsiro knows Uganda still stands a chance to grab an individual medal for the first time since the 2011 edition in Bydgoszcz. “The guys can do something,” he said.

The three-time Commonwealth gold medalist trusts the senior team especially Joshua Cheptegei to pull off the feat. “Of all the guys, I think Joshua can bring a medal if he is okay,” Kipsiro said of the 2014 World Junior 10,000m champion.

Cheptegei, gold medalist at the 2014 World University Cross-country in Entebbe, won his maiden national X-country title in January.

That was only an extension of his 2016 form where he was Uganda’s best track athlete with top-10 place finishes, making it to six podiums out of nine events. “I have been speaking to him (Cheptegei) and Timothy (Toroitich) via WhatsApp. I told them the entire country is looking at them and they should utilise the home advantage.”

Besides Toroitich and Cheptegei, two-time national champion Phillip Kipyeko, Abdallah Mande, 2012 Olympic marathon gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich and Stephen Kissa complete the senior men’s team, who will pursue a team medal for the first time since 2011.

“Of course, the Ethiopians and Kenyans will be stubborn to them but I gave them a few tips that I got from my Kenyan friend and training partner Patrick Komon,” added Kipsiro who has two individual medals. Komon holds the 10km and 15km world records, both set in 2010.

Joshua Cheptegei at a glance

Date of Birth: September 12, 1996
Major Races: 5000m, 10000m
Manager: Jurrie van der Velden
Kit Sponsor: Nike
Personal Bests: 5000m (13.00.60),
10000m (27:10.06)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2014 World University Cross-Country - 1st
2014 World Junior 10,000m - 1st
2015 Africa Junior 10,000m - 1st
2015 Beijing World Champs 10,000m - 9th
2015 Guiyang World X-Country (Jnr) - 11th
2016 Rio Olympics 5000m - 8th
2016 Rio Olympics 10,000m - 6th

TOMORROW’S - TV SCHEDULE
2.30pm: Junior women’s race (6km)
3.10pm: Junior men’s race (8km)
3.55pm: Senior women’s race (10km)
4.55pm: Senior men’s race (10km)

2017 IAAF WORLD x-COUNTRY
TEAM UGANDA
Junior Women (6km): Peruth Chemutai, Esther Chekwemoi, Sarah Chelangat, Janat Chemusto, Adha Munguleya, Scallet Chemos. Reserves: Joy Cheptoek and Benna Sikuku
Junior Men (8km):

Jacob Kiplimo, Titus Kwemoi Given, Victor Kiplangat, Elisha Chemutai, Kevin Kibet, Mathew Chekwurui. Reserves: Anthony Ayeko and Abel Chebet
Senior Women (10km): Mercyline Chelangat, Racheal Zena Chebet, Stella Chesang, Doreen Chesang, Doreen Chemutai, Emily Chebet. Reserve: Annet Chebet
Senior Men (10km):

Joshua Cheptegei, Phillip Kipyeko, Abdallah Mande, Timothy Toroitich, Stephen Kiprotich, Stephen Kissa. Reserves: Fred Musobo and Mande Bushendich
Mixed Relay (8km): Winnie Nanyondo, Geoffrey Ruto, Dorcus Ajok, Ronald Musagala. Reserves: Esther Chebet and Abu Mayanja