Cherop Makes History with 5000m Gold at U20 World Athletics Championships
David GOMBE
Uganda’s Charity Cherop has won gold in women’s 5000 meters at the ongoing U20 World Athletic Champion in Oregon, USA.
The 17-year-old stormed to victory in 15:03.88, beating a strong field that included Ethiopia’s Shito Gumi and Kenya’s Joyline Chepkemoi who took silver and bronze.
She becomes only the 5th Ugandan ever to win gold at the U20 World Championships and she is just the 2nd Ugandan woman to win gold at this level.
And she is the first Ugandan woman to do it in 25 years since steeplechase legend Dorcus Inzikuru won in Santiago, Chile back in 2000.
It’s also redemption and growth for Cherop. Two years ago in Lima, Peru, she took home bronze in the same event. This time, with gold.
In the same race, Cherop’s compatriot Bentalin Yeko, finished 8th with in a time of 15:48.35 minutes.
Cherop will return to action on Saturday in 3000 Meters, seeking to complete a double.
Meanwhile,Shafik Murungi reached the 800m semis as the fastest leading qualifier across the five heats with a time of 1:46.64.
Micheal Kibet and Solomon Andiema were the other Ugandans in action finishing 10th with 13:52.02 and 18th with 14:26.01 respectively in the 5000m .