Bio
Few athletes have risen to the pinnacle of their sport as meteorically as Ugandan long-distance runner, Joshua Cheptegei. Born in 1996, Cheptegei's passion for running was evident from a young age, but it was his breakout performance at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Oregon, where he claimed gold in the 10,000 meters, that truly announced his arrival on the global stage.
Cheptegei's name is now synonymous with greatness, his feats echoing in the annals of long-distance running. He is a two-time gold medallist at the World Championships, securing his titles in the 10,000m in 2019 and 5,000m in 2020, and currently holds the world records for the 5,000m and 10,000m. His astonishing time of 26:11.00 in the latter event, set in Valencia in 2020, shattered the previous record by over six seconds. Such is Cheptegei's dominance, comparisons are often made with legendary Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie.
Despite his myriad of successes, Cheptegei's journey hasn't been without setbacks. Notably, at the 2017 World Championships, he suffered a heartbreaking collapse just 700 meters from the finish line, falling from first to 30th place. Yet, in true champion form, he bounced back, using this failure as fuel to drive his phenomenal performances in subsequent years.
A testament to his character off the track, Cheptegei once amusingly confessed in an interview with "World Athletics" that he was so focused on his training that he didn't know how to drive his own car. "My coach was really shocked," he chuckled, "I had a car and I didn't know how to drive it!" This humorous anecdote serves as a reminder that behind the extraordinary athlete, there's a humble, dedicated, and relentlessly focused individual.
As Joshua Cheptegei continues to carve his name into the history of athletics, his journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one's passion.
Tournaments
Olympic Games:
- Gold medal: 5000 meters (2020 Tokyo)
- Silver medal: 10,000 meters (2020 Tokyo)
World Championships:
- Gold medal: 10,000 meters (2019 Doha, 2022 Eugene, 2023 Budapest)
Commonwealth Games:
- Gold medal: 5000 meters (2018 Gold Coast)
- Gold medal: 10,000 meters (2018 Gold Coast)
World Cross Country Championships:
- Gold medal (2019 Aarhus)
Personal Bests
- 5000 meters: 12:35.36 (World Record)
- 10,000 meters: 26:11.00 (World Record)
- Half marathon: 59:21