World Champion Joshua Chepetegei will today at 2:30pm make a serious shot at becoming the best ever as he takes part in the men’s 10,000m final at the Tokyo Olympics.
Since 2019 when Cheptegei ran to two world championship gold medals, first at the World Cross Country Championships in Denmark and then in the 10,000m in Doha, he has been on an impressive trajectory and many have tipped him to reach Great of All Time (G.O.A.T )status at the on-going Olympic games.
Speaking to World Athletics today, the 24-year-old said; “It’s my time, it’s my chance to become the best in the world.”
The holder of both the 5000m and 10,000m world records admitted to feeling the pressure ahead of the race but stated that he’s ready to conquer the world as pressure will vanish when the gun shot is sounded.
“I always tell myself that I am the best,” he said.
Cheptegei looks forward to becoming the fourth man to scoop double gold in 5000m and 10,000m. Mo Farah was the third man in a row to win back-to-back 10,000m titles, following Ethiopian greats Haile Gebrselassie in 1996-2000 and Kenenisa Bekele in 2004-2008.