Kiplangat blazes to 2023 World Marathon title
David GOMBE
Uganda’s Victor Kiplangat has clinched the 2023 World Athletics Marathon title in Budapest, Hungary.
The Uganda won the title in a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 53 seconds to storm to a golden finish on Sunday morning.
He becomes the second Ugandan to win gold at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Budapest. Adding to Joshua Cheptegei’s 10000m gold.
Kiplangat’s marathon title in Budapest is the seventh gold medal for Uganda in the history of World Athletics Championships.
The Marathon Commonwealth champion also joins Stephen Kiprotich who won the title in 2013 in Russia’s capital Moscow.
Manu Teferi from Isreal overtook Leul Gebresilase in the final 400m, securing silver in 2:09:12. Gebresilase wrapped up the podium finishes, taking bronze in 2:09:19.
Uganda’s Stephen Kissa was fifth after a heavy fall.
Last year, Kiplangat became the first Ugandan athlete to win the Commonwealth Marathon title at the games that were held in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, last year’s bronze medalist in the 5000m race, Oscar Chelimo be will in action for the men’s final at 9:20PM tonight.
Chelimo also a half brother to Jacob Kiplimo will be eyeing another medal at the distance.
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen the reigning World Champion in the 5000m race is the favourite to retain the title.
Halimah Nakaayi will also be targeting a golden finish in the 800m race at 9:45PM.
Nakaayi is the 2019 World Champion will battle with favourites who include reigning World and Olympic Champion Athing Mu and Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson.
3000m Steeplechase Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai will be the last Uganda in action tonight and she will seeking to add the World title to her collection in final on Sunday at 10:05PM.