Belgrade WXC: Kiplimo, Cheptegei lead Uganda’s strong squad

Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei have been named in Uganda's team for the 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.

Cheptegei and Kiplimo have been senior men’s winners at the past two editions and are expected to give the Kenyan unit a strong challenge during the competition.

Cheptegei is a winner of multiple global titles on the track and world record-holder over 5000m and 10,000m, and he also won the senior men’s title in Aarhus in 2019.

Then, Kiplimo took silver, landing Uganda with gold in the team contest before he triumphed in Bathurst in 2023 as Cheptegei finished third.

The competition in Serbia gives the Ugandan stars chances to win more medals. The Ugandan unit is made up of other strong contestants that include Martin Kiprotich, who finished 18th in Bathurst, and African U20 5000m champion Dan Kibet, who finished runner-up to Kiplimo at last month’s Ugandan Cross Country Championships.

National cross-country champion Rachael Chebet, who finished fourth individually at the 2019 World Cross and earned team bronze in the senior women’s race, leads the Ugandan senior women’s team.

Ugandan team for Belgrade

Senior women: Rachael Zena Chebet, Loice Chekwemoi, Annet Chemengich Chelangat, Sarah Chelangat, Belinda Chemutai, and Joy Cheptoyek
Senior men: Leonard Chemutai, Joshua Cheptegei, Dan Kibet, Hosea Kiplangat, Jacob Kiplimo, and Martin Magengo Kiprotich

U20 women: Isella Chebet, Keziah Chebet, Vicky Chekwemboi, Charity Cherop, and Nowel Cheruto
U20 men: Dolphine Chelimo, Hosea Chemutai, and Simba Samuel Cherop, Harbert Kibet, Titus Musau, and Sailas Rotich

Mixed relay: Knight Aciru, Linda Chebet, Hosea Kiprop, and Sam Kapkerung Kiprotich