Uganda will field three representatives in the men’s 5,000m final scheduled for this Friday August 6. This is after world record holder in the distance Joshua Cheptegei as well as siblings Jacob Kiplimo and Oscar Chelimo finished in the required positions to book final spots.
On his Olympics debut, Chelimo raced in Heat 1 and finished fourth hence automatically qualifying for the final. He posted 13:39.07. He’s a junior world cross-country bronze medalist.
Kiplimo and Cheptegei have also qualified for the 5000m final after positing 13.30.40 and 13.30.61 respectively from men’s 5000m Heat 2. The duo will have another shot at Gold in Tokyo. Cheptegei holds the world record in the 5000m and will be aiming at amending his short fall in the 10,000m where he won silver. Kiplimo won bronze in the same race.
Hands crossed for the trio as the country hopes for triple blessings in the final.