Joshua Cheptegei is yet again a champion after he broke the men’s 5000m world record in athletics’ delayed Diamond League season opener in Monaco in front of spectators, with fans allowed in in limited numbers. He yesterday returned back to a heroes welcome as officials from government and members of the media received him at Busia boarder.
The 23-year-old ‘Golden Boy’ crossed the finish line in 12 minutes 35.36 seconds, 1.99 seconds faster than Kenenisa Bekele’s previous mark of 12:37.35 set in May 2004.
It was an outstanding performance from Cheptegei, whose own previous personal best was 12:57.41. The Ugandan took the lead roughly mid-way through the race, and kept his lead at the 3000m and 4000m marks.
Cheptegei who has been in fine form since clinching 10000M gold at last year’s World Championships is a double Commonwealth gold medalist and also boosts as the reigning World Cross Country and World 10,000m champion.
“I think Monaco is a special place and it’s one of these places where I could break the world record,” he said. “It took a lot of mind-setting to keep being motivated this year because so many people are staying at home but you have to stay motivated. I pushed myself; I had the right staff with me, the right coach. I’m also usually based in Europe, but being based in Uganda with my family was actually great.
“I will for sure celebrate the world record when I get home.”
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