World Athletics Championships 2025: When are Uganda’s athletes in action?

JoriPress

Sep 12, 2025 - 16:45

World Athletics Championships 2025: When are Uganda’s athletes in action?

The 2025 World Athletics Championships will get underway tomorrow (Saturday, September 13) in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, with the track and field events set to take place at National Stadium.

Over 2000 athletes from nearly 200 teams, including Uganda, will be competing for medals in 49 disciplines.

Team Uganda is without its renowned stars Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.

Therefore, former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai (3000m Steeplechase), world champion Victor Kiplangat (Marathon) and rising star Oscar Chelimo (5000m &10000m), as well as former world champion Halimah Nakaayi (800m), who had a good Diamond League season, hold the medal hopes for Uganda at the championships.

When will Uganda’s athletes be in action?

Saturday, September 13

First in action will be the African champion and rising steeplechaser Leonard Chemutai, who takes the track on Saturday, September 13 at 12:18 p.m. (EAT) in Heat 2 of the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase. Chemutai has to finish in the top five to qualify for the medal race that will take place on Monday, September 15, at 3:55 p.m. (EAT).

Knight Aciru, competing in the Women’s 1500m, will also be in action on Saturday. Aciru will be running in Heat 3, scheduled for 2:10 p.m. (EAT), where she has to finish among the top six to qualify for 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 up against the world’s long-distance runners.

Sunday, September 14

Uganda’s female marathoners, Juliet Chekwel, Mercyline Chelangat, and Stella Chesang, will take the streets of Tokyo on Sunday morning with the race scheduled for 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)

If Knight Aciru qualifies for the Women’s 1500m semifinals, she will be in action starting from 3:07 p.m. (EAT)

Later on in the day, at 3:30 p.m. (EAT), the Men’s 10000m medal race will get underway. Oscar Chelimo and Dan Kibet will be on the start line.

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).

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 16

Tom Dradriga, competing in the Men’s 800m, will take a World Championship track for the second time. The heats start at 1:35 p.m. (EAT).

If Knight Aciru qualifies for the Women’s 1500m final, the medal race is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (EAT).

Wednesday, September 17

The medal race for the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase takes place at 3:57 p.m. (EAT). If she qualifies for the medal race out of the heats on Monday, Peruth Chemutai will be running for a World title.

Thursday, September 18

The evening session of Day 6 of the championships will start with the Women’s 5000m heats, in which Sarah Chelangat will be competing. The heats 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 qualifies out of the heats on Tuesday. The semifinal races are scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m. (EAT).

Friday, September 19