Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei has won the TCS Bangalore 10-kilometre race in India.
Cheptegei, the 10,000 meters gold medalist at the Paris Summer Olympics and a recent marathon convert, claimed victory with a time of 27:53. Eritrea’s Saymon Tesfagiorgis finished second in 27:55, while Kenya’s Vincent Langat secured third place, crossing the line in 28:02.
Running with the leading pack from the start, Cheptegei stayed alongside his key rivals until the 9.5-kilometre mark, when he pulled ahead with a decisive surge. Demonstrating his trademark strong finishing kick, Cheptegei accelerated, leaving his competitors behind as he sprinted to the podium with joy and gratitude.
Speaking after the race, Cheptegei described the victory as significant, particularly as he prepares for the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. He attributed his success to perseverance and self-motivation, learning from past challenges.
“This is another milestone, and I want to thank God for enabling me to win this 10-kilometre race even with the short preparation following the Tokyo Marathon, where I finished ninth,” said Cheptegei.
“I look forward to more consistent preparations to compete favorably in road races.” Stephen Kiprotich, Uganda’s Olympic and World Marathon Champion, praised Cheptegei’s discipline and work ethic.
“He is one of the rare talents in Ugandan athletics who pushes himself until he achieves what he wants,” Kiprotich said while congratulating Cheptegei.
