Nakaayi, Dradriga optimistic at World Indoors

In June, Dradriga got his career peak result when he eventually got the bronze medal over the two-lap final at African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.

That set him up for an Olympic debut at the Paris Games where he stopped at the repechage stage. The 28-year-old is now in China alongside Halimah Nakaayi where he will make a bow at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.

“Qualifying for the Indoor Championships was very difficult but I thank God I managed to be here to compete for the first time ever,” he said.

Dradriga qualified after posting one minute and 46.39 seconds in an 800-metre short track victory at the Meeting Internacional de Ourense in Ourense, north western Spain on January 10.

He is the first male competitor at the World Indoors in 13 years since Moses Kipsiro and Julius Mutekanga competed at the Istanbul 2012 edition in Turkiye.

Only two Ugandan males have reached a race final at this championship; Kipsiro over the 3000 metres  and then Julius Achon over the 1500 metres at Lisbon 2001 edition in Portugal.

Dradriga has some work to do to go through the Heats on Friday, the semi-final Saturday and then Sunday’s final at Nanjing’s Cube at Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park.

“I feel good and to compete as well. I have been preparing well, although we had some challenges but I thank God all is well,” he added. Defending champion America Bryce Hoppel is the event favourite.

The route to glory is the same for Nakaayi who earned a wild card entry for the 800 metres into the championship.

The 2022 bronze medalist, the only Ugandan to medal at the World Indoors, is optimistic too, especially after winning her two-lap outdoor race in 2:00.88 during the second National Trials at Namboole last weekend.

“I am feeling good and am happy,” she said. The 30-year-old has been working on a new regime under coach Patrick Sang and in company of Kenyan stars Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge in Kaptagat.

“The preparations have been good; I am trying to adjust to the new training group. I am targeting podium finishing,” added 2019 world champion Nakaayi. She came sixth in the final at last year’s edition in Glasgow, Scotland.

Her quest for the podium will be checked by defending champion Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, 2024 bronze medallist Noelie Yarigo, the in-form South African Prudence Sekgodiso and Vincentian Shafiqua Maloney.

2025 WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

UGANDANS IN ACTION - FRIDAY

6:15am: Halimah Nakaayi (Women’s 800 metres Heats)

6:55am: Tom Dradriga (Men’s 800 metres Heats)

TOMORROW

7:05am: Women’s 800 Metres Semi-final Heats

7:31am: Men’s 800 Metres Semi-final Heats

SUNDAY

3:40pm: Men’s 800 Metres Final

3:54pm: Women’s 800 Metres Final

UGANDA MEDALS AT WORLD INDOORS

Belgrade 2022: Halimah Nakaayi (800 Metres Bronze)

UGANDA AT WORLD ATHLETICS INDOORS

CAST OF MALE COMPETITORS

Istanbul 2012: Moses Kipsiro (7th, 3000m Final - 7:44.59)

Istanbul 2012: Julius Mutekanga (5th, 800m Semi Heat 1 - 1:49.32)

Valencia 2008: Abraham Chepkirwok (4th, 800m Semi Heat 2 - 1:48.30)

Moscow 2006: Isaac Kiprop (10th, 3000m Heat 2 - 8:05.00)

Budapest 2004: Paskar Owor (5th, 800m Heat 2 - 1:51.41)

Birmingham 2003: Julius Achon (3rd, 1500m Heat 3 - 3:41.85)     

Lisbon 2001: Julius Achon (8th, 1500m Final - 3:53.03)

Paris 1997: Mike Ezra (6th, Men’s 400m Heat 7 - 53.74)

Barcelona 1995: Geoffrey Walusimbi (DQ, Men’s 60m Heat 3 - R162.7)

Toronto 1993: Francis Ogola (4th, 400m Heat 1 - 48.06)    

Indianapolis 1987: Sunday Olweny (7th, Men’s 60 metres Heat 3 - 7.22)

Indianapolis 1987: Sunday Olweny (5th, Heat 4 200m - 23.02)

Paris 1985: Mike Okot (4th, Men’s 400m Heat 2 - 50.19)