Team Uganda for this week’s World Championships has suffered a huge blow as long-distance star Jacob Kiplimo has been ruled out due to his hamstring injury.
Uganda Athletics Federation-UAF confirmed the development in a press statement indicating that the Olympic bronze medalist sustained the injury on August 1st while in training at the high-altitude, Kapchorwa in Eastern Uganda.
The medical report indicates he sustained an acute injury to the right hamstring and needs a few more weeks to recover completely. He is therefore not expected to train optimally in the next one or two months,” reads a Medical report, as shared in part by Uganda Athletics Federation.
It is a huge blow for Uganda’s long-distance team and the entire contingent which is now reduced to 20 athletes. Kiplimo had entered both 5000m and 10000m together with his long-term colleague Joshua Cheptegei. Kiplimo won bronze in the previous edition of the world championships in Oregon USA.
Kiplimo in particular carried a lot of Uganda’s medal hopes in Budapest having won two gold medals (5000m and 10,000m) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where Cheptegei never participated after picking an injury.
He now leaves a huge gap that adds more pressure on Joshua Cheptegei to combine with the remaining few to make a strong team that will defeat the who is who in the field of long distances.
In the 10,000m event, Cheptegei will join forces with Joel Ayeko and Rogers Kibet. Meanwhile, in the 5000m event, Cheptegei will be accompanied by Kiplimo’s sibling, Oscar Chelimo. Oscar Chelimo had himself clinched a commendable bronze medal in the 5000m race during the 2022 world championships.
Men
Tarsis Orogot -200m
Dradriga Tom -800m
Salim Mayanha -1500m
Leonard Chemutai-3000m steeplechase
Oscar Chelimo- 5000m
Joshua Cheptegei- 5000m and 10000m
Rogers Kibet- 10000m
Joel Ayeko- 10000m
Stephen Kissa- Marathon
Victor Kiplangat Marathon
Rotich Andrew – Marathon
Women
Halima Nakaayi- 800m
Winnie Nanyondo-1500m
Peruth Chemutai -3000m steeplechase
Sarah Chelangat – 5000m and 10000m
Prisca Chesang -5000m
Stella Chesang- 10000m
Doreen Chesang-Marathon
Rebecca Cheptegei- Marathon
Mercyline Chelangat- Marathon
By F Muganga