Jacob Kiplimo, the enormously talented Ugandan athlete has yet again risen high after claiming gold in the recently concluded 5000-meter International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) 2020 at Ostrava Golden Spike, Czech Republic.
The joy didn’t only overwhelm Ugandan sports lovers but also Kiprimo’s sponsors, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) who cheered on their own with great amusement after he beat the event’s favorite – the Ethiopian World Championship Silver Medalist Selemon Barega.
Kiplimo took the win with a clock time run in 12:48.63 – one of 7 meet records to fall on a clear night in the eastern Czech city where 3,000 spectators were allowed entry to Mestsky Stadium to help celebrate the meet’s 59th edition.
Regardless of the pace and pressure Barega pulled out, the teenager didn’t lose sight of the grand prize of the race. The Ethiopian made his final attempt for the win as they hit the home straight, pulling even when the pair shifted into a full-on stride-for-stride, side-by-side sprint. Kiplimo fought that off too and pulled away for good with some 40 meters to go.
“I wanted the fastest time, so I kept on pushing,” said Kiplimo, the Silver Medalist in the senior race at last year’s World Cross Country Championships. “It was a fight in the home straight. And it was wonderful.”
The win brings more delight to UWA having seen the teenager through injury earlier in the year. Kiplimo didn’t let earlier injury pull him down as he looked all focused the whole night.
Born November 14, 2000, Kiplimo is from the stable of Uganda Wildlife Authority athletes which includes compatriot Winnie Nanyondo who also participated in the 1500-meter race finishing 9th.
Kiplimo previously represented his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He is the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Junior Champion. In 2019, he became the World Cross Country Silver Medalist at the age of 18.
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