Tokyo-bound teen Chesang optimistic

Prospect. Chesang during UAF Trials at Namboole recently. The teenage has qualified for the Olympics. PHOTO/ISMAIL KEZAALA

What you need to know:

  • For the future. Chesang became the third Ugandan woman to book a ticket to Tokyo in the 5000m after Stella Chesang and Esther Chebet, who came 14th in Hengelo

For ardent followers of Uganda’s athletics, teenager Prisca Chesang could be the next big thing.
Ever since Uganda Athletics Federation resumed staging National Trials in Namboole, Chesang has been among the headliners.

In April, the 17-year-old, modeled by coach Raphael Kasaija, qualified over the 1500m and again three weeks ago did beat the 3000m mark to the World U20 Championships.
Chesang is not stopping yet. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics over the 5000m in her first race abroad during the Ethiopian Trials in Hengelo, the Netherlands, last week.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority club runner posted a time of 15:5.39 seconds in a distant 11th over the 12-and-half-lap race, but her time rather than the position was enough to beat the qualifying standard of 15:10.00.

“She can run much faster because she did make a mistake going in the first kilometre with the best Ethiopian girls,” explained her coach Addy Ruiter
“So she paid a price for that in the middle of the race but she finished strong. She is still only 17 and it was her first race in Europe.”

Chesang became the third Ugandan woman to book a ticket to Tokyo over the distance after Stella Chesang and Esther Chebet, who came 14th in Hengelo.
“If she is selected for Tokyo, it is for her to learn there. The World Juniors in August are the main goal for this year,” added Ruiter.

Meanwhile, Joshua Cheptegei’s training partner Stephen Kissa dipped into the 10000m qualifying mark of 27:28.00 with 27:26.46 in eighth place in Hengelo. 
Kissa joins Abdallah Mande, Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo for those who have qualified over the 25-lap race to Tokyo.

Ethiopian Trials Hangelo
RESULTS | WOMEN’S 5000M

1.Gudaf Tsegay    ETH    14:13.32
2.Ejgayehu Taye    ETH    14:14.09
11.Prisca Chesang    UGA    15:05.39
14.Esther Chebet    UGA    15:25.15
WOMEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE
1.Mekides Abebe     ETH    9:13.63
2.Lomi Muleta     ETH    9:14.03
3.Zerfe Wondmagegn     ETH    9:16.95
5.Peruth Chemutai    UGA    9:33.74
MEN’S 10000M
1.Selemon Barega    ETH    26:49.51
2.Yomif Kejelcha     ETH    26:49.73
3.Berihu Aregawi     ETH    26:50.37
8.Stephen Kissa     UGA    27:26.46
MEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE
1.Tadese Takele    ETH    8:09.37
2.Abrham Sime    ETH    8:12.11
3.Hailemariyam Amare    ETH    8:21.15
7.Boniface Sikowo    UGA    8:33.74
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