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➡ Cheptegei 1st in 2 MILE 8:09.55
➡ Kiplimo 4th in 2 MILE 8:10.16
➡ Chemutai 7th in 3000M SC 9:10.87
➡ Nakaayi 6th in 800m 1:58.03 (PB)
➡ Nayondo 4th in 1500m 4:00.72
Eugene, USA | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s star athlete Joshua Cheptegei continued continued showing his prowess by winning the prestigious 2-mile race of the Eugene Diamond League on Saturday in the United States of America.
Cheptegei 24, started by setting the pace all the way to the 400m mark, before rival and Tokyo Olympics 10,000m gold medalist Selemon Barega from Ethiopia tried unsuccessfully to dislodge him.
The Olympic 5,000m champion crossed the finishing line in 8:09.55 which is a world leading mark, to beat Ethiopia’s Barega who posted 8:09:82. His compatriot Jacob Kiplimo came 4th in same race where he posted 8 minutes 10:16 seconds.
The result crowns a great month for the long distance ace who won the 5,000m race a few days back at the just concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and silver in the 10,000m final.
Before the 2-mile race, Peruth Chemutai finished distant fifth in the women 3000m steeplechase at the same event. The 2020 Tokyo Gold medalist looked sharp from the starting point, but failed to keep her pace.
Chemutai ran 9:10.87 minutes, which is 01:45 seconds below her personal best. Kenya’s Jeruto Norah won the race in a personal best time of 8:53:65, while USA’s Frerichs Courtney finished second in 8 minutes 57:77 seconds
Middle distance runner, Halima Nakaayi also finished 6th in the 800m race. She posted 1:58:78 behind Olympic champion Mu Athing from the USA who crossed the finishing line in 1:55:04.
In the 1500m race, commonwealth bronze medalist, Winnie Nanyondo finished a distant fourth where she crossed the finishing line in a time of 4:00.72. Tokyo Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon from Kenya dominated the race to cross the line with a time of 3:53.23.
