Heading into the World Athletics Championships in Budapest after an injury-plagued build-up, many feared Joshua Cheptegei was not in the kind of form to challenge for a third consecutive 10 000m world title.
Schedule | Results | TV Guide | Get DStv
But the Ugandan proved any doubters wrong in glorious fashion on Sunday night, piling on the pace in the last of 25 laps to storm to a third straight victory over the distance in a time of 27:51.42.
The world record holder over both 5000m and 10 000m led home a top five of Africans with Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo taking the silver in 27:52.60 and Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega the bronze in 27:52.72. His compatriot Berihu Aregawi was fourth and Kenya’s Benard Kibet fifth.
“I am very excited and proud that I have succeeded in winning my third world title in a row,” said a thrilled Cheptegei afterwards. “This was the best possible way to end the season. This might be my last championships at the track, that's why this gold medal means even more. I am proud that I have an amazing team around me and with our work together we made it possible.”
GLORY TO THE CONTINENT
While Cheptegei may have been there and done it all when it comes to major championship titles, an athlete at the other end of his career – 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo of Botswana also brought glory to the continent, taking silver in the men’s 100m.
In the process, Tebogo set a new national record of 9.88 seconds behind gold medallist Noah Lyles of the USA who took the title in 9.83.
“The one thing I've learned at these World Championships is that you have to be very well prepared mentally and emotionally. If anything distracts you, you can go home,” aid a beaming Tebogo afterwards.
“After my first run we sat down with my coach and talked over the things I had to improve. We did the same after the semis. I was absolutely focused on doing what I had to do.
“It's really a matter of great pride to win this silver medal.”
Earlier in the afternoon there was drama in the 100m semifinals when South African medal hope Akani Simbine false started. Usually known for his slow starts, Simbine couldn’t understand how it had happened.
Akani Simbine will not be in the men’s 100m final in Budapest after being disqualified in the semi-finals ❌
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 20, 2023
📺 Stream the #WorldAthleticsChamps live: https://t.co/ACEUH7ePOB pic.twitter.com/DMHUzSWJej
“I’m disappointed. I’ve never false started on the circuit, never false started at a championship, so I’m just very disappointed,” said a devastated Simbine.
“I don’t know, I reacted to the gun you know, but the official says he sees a movement. I can’t argue with the official, if I argue with the official he’s still going to win at the end of the day.
SLOW STARTER
“I just know that I moved when the gun said go, because I’m generally a slow starter. But it is what it is… Trust me, I’m in the shape of my life right now. But we’ll never get to see it right now, so it is what it is.”
Also crashing out at the semifinal stage were the USA’s defending 100m world champion Fred Kerley who finished third in his race in 10.02 seconds and Italian Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs who was fifth in his in 10.05.
Over at the long jump pit, Nigeria’s Ese Brume just missed out on a medal. She produced a season’s best leap of 6.84m but that saw her finishing in fourth place with Serbian Ivana Vuleta claiming gold with 7.14m.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s world record-breaking sensation Faith Kipyegon made sure of her spot in the 1500m final, winning her semifinal race in a time of 3:55.14. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji was second in 3:55.18 while Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan shook off the disappointment of her spectacular fall in the home straight in Saturday’s 10 000m final to finish third in 3:55.48.
“Everyone is impressed by 3:55 in the semifinal, but honestly it was not as easy as it looked,” admitted Kipyegon afterwards. “This is a championships. My usual goal for heats and semifinals is to just run as securely as possible.”
Also going through was Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir who claimed victory in the significantly slower first semifinal in a time of 4:02.14. Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom was second in 4:02.46 to also secure her place in the final.
THE GOAL IS TO GET INTO THE FINAL
“This is the first time I am running on such high level,” explained Chepchirchir. “This is the first time I got the chance to represent my country on the senior level. I was hoping I could have a good run. My big goal was to get into the final and with a bit of luck, I will see what I can run.”
Two Kenyans progressed through the men’s 1500m semifinals. Abel Kipsang finished second in the first semi in 3:32.72 while Reynold Cheruiyot was sixth in the second semi in 3:35.53. There was disappointment for 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot however, after he failed to progress, finishing ninth in his race in 3:37.40.
“Coming here I didn't think it is possible for me to be out of the final,” he said afterwards. “I am fit enough to fight for a championship medal in Budapest, but yesterday I did some stretching exercises that affected my knee.
“I have character so I never give up in advance. That is why I tried to run this semifinal as best as possible but when I speeded up, my knee responded with pain. I just did not want to make it worse because the season is not over. I am looking forward to continue competing.”
Despite a valiant final sprint, South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite, who is new to the distance, just missed out on the final by one hundredth of a second after finishing seventh in the first semifinal in 3:32.98.
Athletics action continues in Budapest on Monday evening with the women’s 100m semifinals and finals and then men’s triple jump final among the events to look out for.