David GOMBE
Team Uganda will be without the long-distance running duo of Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo at the 2025 World Athletics Championships that get underway on Saturday, September 13th in Japan’s capital Tokyo.
This will be the first time since 2015 that Cheptegei a three time 10000m World champion will miss the show. This means a new name will be crowned World champion over the 10000m race.
Kiplimo on the other hand decided to put focus on the Chicago Marathon due on October 12th 2025.
With the two stars out, Uganda will look up to 3000m Steeplechase 2020 Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai who also clinched silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Victor Kiplangat, the reigning World Marathon champion is the other to look up for at the Tokyo Worlds while Halimah Nakaayi, the 800m champion at the 2019 edition will be seeking to add another global title to her name.
When are Ugandan athletes in action?
Saturday, 13th September
Leonard Chemutai will be in Heat 2 of the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase at 12:18Pm. He had to make the top five to qualify for the final due on Monday, September 15th at 3:55Pm.
Knight Aciru, will be in action for the Women’s 1500m also on Saturday. She will be running in Heat 3, scheduled for 2:10 p.m. (EAT). A top six finish will secure her a place in the semifinals scheduled for Sunday, September 14 at 3:07 p.m. (EAT).
The other event that will have Ugandans competing on Saturday will be the Women’s 10000m medal race that is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (EAT). Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah Chelangat and Rebecca Chelangat will be in for the medal race.
Sunday, September 14th 2025
Uganda’s female marathoners, Juliet Chekwel, Mercyline Chelangat, and Stella Chesang, will be in the Women’s Marathon that is slated for the early morning hours of Sunday at 1:30 a.m. (EAT).
Uganda’s 400m National Record holder Leni Shida will be in action at the World Championships since Doha 2019. The Women’s 400m heats start at 1:25 p.m. (EAT)
Monday, September 15
Victor Kiplangat will be up to defend his Marathon title on the streets of Tokyo on Monday morning, with the race getting underway at 1:30 a.m. (EAT). Vet Stephen Kissa and Abel Chelangat will also be in the mix.
On the track, Peruth Chemutai will get into action as the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase heats get underway at 4:30 a.m. (EAT). Loice Chekwemoi will also be competing in the event.
If Leonard Chemutai qualifies for the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase final on Saturday, the medal race is scheduled for Monday at 3:55 p.m. (EAT).
Tuesday, September 16th 2025
Tom Dradriga, will be in action in the Men’s 800m, looking to advance. The Heats will begin at 1:35 p.m. (EAT).
Meanwhile, the Women’s 400m semifinal races are scheduled for 3:07 p.m. (EAT). In case, Uganda’s Leni Shida advances from the heats due on Sunday, she will be once again on the track.
If Knight Aciru qualifies for the Women’s 1500m final, the medal race is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (EAT).
Wednesday, September 17th 2025
The Women’s 3000m Steeplechase final will take place on Wednesday at 3:57 p.m. (EAT). Peruth Chemutai will be eyeing to add a World title to her 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold and Paris Silver medals to her collection but will first have to prevail past the Heats due on Monday.
Thursday, September 18
On Thursday, Sarah Chelangat will be in the 5000m Heats which start at 1:05 p.m. (EAT).
Uganda’s only female world champion, Halimah Nakaayi, will start her search for another global medal in the Women’s 800m, whose heats are scheduled to start at 1:58 p.m. (EAT).
Tom Dradriga could be in action in the Men’s 800m semifinal if he surges past the heats on Tuesday. The semifinal races are scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m. (EAT).
The Women’s 400m medal race is scheduled for 4:24 p.m. (EAT). If Shida beats the odds, she will be in action.
Friday, September 19
Oscar Chelimo, a bronze medalist at the Budapest Worlds, will once again target a podium finish in the Men’s 5000m with the heats scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. (EAT).
Herbert Kibet and U20 Championships bronze medalist, Kenneth Kiprop are the others who will be in action in the 5000m Heats.
If she prevails past the Heats, Nakaayi will be in the Women’s 800m semifinals at 2:43 p.m. (EAT) on the same day.
Saturday, September 20
At 3:29 p.m. (EAT), Sarah Chelangat could be running for a world title if she qualifies for the medal race from her heat on Thursday.
The Men’s 800m final is scheduled for Saturday at 4:22. p.m. (EAT). Tom Dradriga could be in myaction.
Sunday, September 21
The medal race for the Women’s 800m will be at 1:35 p.m. (EAT). Nakaayi could be in for it.
Chelimo, Kiprop and Herbert Kibet could all be in contention for the 5000m final due on Friday at 1:47Pm.
Uganda’s representatives at Tokyo Worlds
Marathon (Women)
Juliet Chekwel
Mercyline Chelangat
Stella Chesang
Marathon (Men)
Abel Chelangat
Victor Kiplangat
Stephen Kissa
10000m (Women)
Sarah Chelangat
Rebecca Chelangat
Joy Cheptoyek
10000m (Men)
Oscar Chelimo
Dan Kibet
5000m (Women)
Sarah Chelangat
5000m (Men)
Oscar Chelimo
Herbert Kibet
Kenneth Kiprop
3000m Steeplechase (Women)
Loice Chekwemoi
Peruth Chemutai
3000m Steeplechase (Men)
Leonard Chemutai
1500m (Women)
Knight Aciru
800m (Women)
Halimah Nakaayi
800m (Men)
Tom Dradriga
400m (Women)
Leni Shida
