Running into Glory
China Africa (English)|November 2020
Uganda’s golden boy shatters world records and puts his country firmly on the athletics map
Godfrey Olukya
Running into Glory

He’s a running phenomenon, smash-ing the 15-year-old world 10,000-meter record by a breathtaking 6.53 seconds in Valencia, Spain, on October 7. The athletic milestone is even more impressive when seen in the context of his world record victory in the 5,000meter run on August 14 in Monaco.

He is now the 10th man in history to hold the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter world records concurrently, according to worldathletics.org.

But things were not always so glorious for 24-year-old Joshua Cheptegei. At the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Ugandans were shocked when their star runner in the 10,000-meter race, who had been leading from the start, succumbed to fatigue.

He dropped out of contention less than 1 km from the finish line, painfully walking the last part of the race as all the other competitors passed by, eventually coming in at 30th position.

“What has happened to our runner? Has he been bewitched? He had less than 1 km to win the race but he looks wasted,” shouted one of the race commentators.

But it seemed while his spirit was willing, his body had given up and all he could do was to walk to the line in agony. Many Ugandan spectators were so disappointed that they labeled Cheptegai a fake and said he had brought shame to their country.

One of the country’s veteran athletics trainers John Oramu said there was total disbelief at what people were seeing as Cheptegei stopped running and started walking with his chest bent backward. “Some people shed tears because it was too much for them seeing a Ugandan who was about to win a gold medal [at home] and big cash prize, collapsing not far from the finishing line,” Oramu said.

This story is from the November 2020 edition of China Africa (English).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2020 edition of China Africa (English).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CHINA AFRICA (ENGLISH)View All
Preserving a Source of Life
China Africa (English)

Preserving a Source of Life

Zambia takes measures to protect water resources and ensure ecological progress

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
Should We Stop The Trend of ‘Feminization'?
China Africa (English)

Should We Stop The Trend of ‘Feminization'?

In traditional Chinese thinking, women are supposed to be gentle and soft and men masculine. In recent years, however, the popularity of young male film and TV stars who appear to be “feminine” in their dressing, hair style and even mindset and their impact on the youth has led some to believe that the Chinese boys are not “masculine” enough.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
Green Renaissance
China Africa (English)

Green Renaissance

China adopts comprehensive measures to protect Yangtze River environment

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2021
Building an Immune Barrier
China Africa (English)

Building an Immune Barrier

Chinese vaccines help the global fight against COVID-19 pandemic

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
A Promising Change
China Africa (English)

A Promising Change

As first female and African head of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is enjoined to advance the prospects of common development

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
Service Before Celebration
China Africa (English)

Service Before Celebration

A doctor’s contribution to normalization of life

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Delivering Happiness
China Africa (English)

Delivering Happiness

Deliveryman continues to work during the holiday to meet the needs of customers

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Skiing Upsurge
China Africa (English)

Skiing Upsurge

Olympic winter games spur growth of snow economy in Beijing suburbs

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
An Unbreakable Bond
China Africa (English)

An Unbreakable Bond

Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria talks about bilateral ties

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
A Different Celebration
China Africa (English)

A Different Celebration

Chinese people respond to the call to spend the Spring Festival holiday in situ

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021