Joshua Cheptegei produced yet another masterly endurance performance to clinch back-to-back World 10,000m titles in Eugene, Oregon today.
Returning to the fabled Hayward Field, the scene of his first major international triumph when winning the World U20 10,000m crown eight years ago, the Ugandan superstar again proved unstoppable clocking a time of 27:27.43 en route to gold. Cheptegei is the fourth man ever to prolong his world 10,000m title. Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Mo Farah preceded him.
An elated Cheptegei said: “In 2014, my career started here at Hayward Field with a World Junior title. Now to become only the fourth man in history to successfully defend the world 10,000m title means I have reached another level!”
????-??-???? ????? ????????! ??
Joshua Cheptegei wins the 10,000m at the World Championships in Eugene and takes home the gold once again!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/zrygf57tO3— NN Running Team (@NNRunningTeam) July 17, 2022
The 25-year-old NN Running Team-athlete is an outstanding talent on all surfaces. He is the current world record holder for 15km on the road, and he formerly held world road records over 5km and 10km.
Cheptegei returns to the track at the 2022 World Athletics Championships on Thursday to contest the heats of the men’s 5000m.
Australian Jack Rayner managed 19th clocking 28:24.12. It isn’t a reflection of the form Rayner currently possesses, he clocked a 13:06.00 over 5000m just over a month ago, to become the third fastest man in Australian history over the 5000m distance.
Credit head photo: BSR Agency.
