Olympic Champion Joshua Cheptegei and marathon gold medalist Victor Kiplangat have been honoured with medals during the Independence Day celebrations at the Kitgum District Farm Institute in Kitgum Municipality. They were among the 42 exceptional Ugandans who received independence medals.
Cheptegei was awarded the Distinguished Order of Crested Crane medal, while Kiplangat was presented with the Diamond Jubilee Medal for Civilians.
Cheptegei holds the current world records for the 5000 meters and the 10,000 meters, along with the world’s best time in the 15 kilometers distance. He is also the reigning Olympic champion in the 5000 meters and a three-time World champion in the 10,000 meters.
On the other hand, Kiplangat, at the age of 23, achieved world champion status this year by winning the men’s marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. In 2022, despite taking a wrong turn near the end of the course, he secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the men’s marathon event, completing the race in 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 54 seconds.