No Medal for Uganda as Marathon Hopes Fade in Tokyo

Uganda’s search for a first medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will have to wait after the country’s marathoners missed out on the podium on Monday.

There had been strong hopes in the 42km race, especially with Victor Kiplangat lining up as the defending champion after his golden triumph in Budapest in 2023.

Uganda looked well placed in the closing stages as Abel Chelangat featured prominently in the leading pack with just a kilometer left.

But the Ugandan ran out of steam in the final stretch, eventually dropping to fifth place.

The day belonged to Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, who surged to the tape in 2:09:48 to become the first Tanzanian athlete to win a global athletics title.

Simbu edged Germany’s Amanal Petros in a dramatic photo finish, while Italy’s Iliass Aouani took bronze in 2:09:53.

Chelangat clocked 2:10:11 in fifth place while Kiplangat, unable to replicate last year’s heroics, faded to 15th in 2:11:33.

Solomon Mutai and Stephen Kissa, the other two Ugandans in the Marathon, failed to finish the grueling race.

The result extends Uganda’s wait for a medal in Tokyo, with Peruth Chemutai who has qualified for the Women’s 3000m SC final carrying the faint hopes.