Uganda wins bronze at World U-20 athletics

Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT |  Prisca Chesang has won bronze in the 5000m at the ongoing U-20 World Athletics Championships at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

Chesang 18, crossed the finishing line in 16:21.78 minutes behind Ethiopia’s duo Mizan Alem and Meknat Wudu who finished first and second respectively. Mizan Alem finished first in 16:05:61 while her compatriot Wudu finished second in 16:13.16.

However there was confusion after Chesang and Ethiopia’s Wudu were disqualified for briefly stepping off the track. Kenya’s Zenah Chepoo who had finished fourth in 16:29.44 was awarded the second position while Spain’s Carla Dominguez who had finished fifth in 16:45.79 was awarded the third position

However, Ugandan officials appealed the decision and after close to an hour, Chesang was reinstated and claimed her bronze medal. This is Uganda’s first medal at the events.

Ethiopia’s Wudu who had also fallen short to the same decision was also given her silver medal.

Chesang’s compatriot Scarlett Chebet settled for a tenth position where she posted 17:36.26 minutes in 5000m.

Chesang, fresh from the Olympics, was making a comeback after she fell short in the 3000m finals earlier where she finished fourth.

Two other Ugandan long distances runners Toroitich Ndiwa and Leonard Chemutai fell short in the 3000m steeplechase finals. The duo finished distant sixth and seventh respectively at Kasarani stadium.

Toroitich Ndiwa finished sixth, he crossed the line 8 minutes and 58.09 seconds while his compatriot Leonard Chemutai, who looked sharp in the first laps of the race settled for the seventh position, posted 9:03.14 minutes.

Although Chemutai had a good start while leading the first four laps, he relaxed towards the fifth lap and henceforth fell to Kenya Amos Serem who won the race in 8:20.72 minutes, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele won sliver while Simon Kiprop from Kenya won bronze.