President Yoweri Museveni has heaped praises on Ugandan athletes Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei for their outstanding performance in the the New York City Half Marathon.
The reigning World Cross Country Gold Medalist, Kiplimo scooped gold in the 21 kilometers race finishing in 1:1.31 seconds while his counterpart Cheptegei came in second place in 1:02.09 seconds. They won Gold and Silver respectively.
“I congratulate Jacob Kiplimo and cheptege upon winning Gold & Silver respectively in the New York City Half Marathon today. Your countrymen and countrywomen are proud of your achievements.” the President tweeted
Morroco’s Taibi Zouhair finished third clocking 1:02.18 seconds. Kiplimo broke from the group at 15km and battled with Cheptegei and Zouhair up to 18km before he broke off, running to the finishing line.
It was the first debut for Kiplimo to race at the NYC marathon and winning it.
Kiplimo is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic 10,000 metres bronze medallist and also won bronze in the event at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Kiplimo earned gold medals for the 5000 metres and 10,000 m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He is the 2020 World Half Marathon champion.
He won silver (at age 18) and gold medal at the 2019 and 2023 World Cross Country Championships respectively. Kiplimo holds the world record in the half marathon in a time of 57:31, set on 21 November 2021 in Lisbon.
At age 15, he represented his country at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the youngest ever Olympian for Uganda. He was the 2017 World Cross Country junior champion. Kiplimo is also the Ugandan record holder for the 3000 metres.
Cheptegei the 10,000 metre Olympic Champion says, although the weather was cold, he persisted to follow his country mate so as to secure the 2nd position.
“I thank God for the position, in everything you have to give God glory, we have achieved our plan to return home when both of us are shinning”. He said.
He is the reigning Olympic champion in the 5000 metres and silver medalist for the 10,000 metres, a two-time 10,000 m World champion from 2019 and 2022, World silver medallist from 2017, and the 2019 World Cross Country champion.
Cheptegei also won gold medals for the 5000 m and 10,000 m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He currently holds world records in both disciplines and holds the world best in the 15 kilometres road race. He is also the current Ugandan record holder in both the 5 km and 10 km.