Ugandan athletics has been dealt a major blow after confirmation that star runners Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will not take part in the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
The championships, scheduled for September 13–21, will now proceed without two of Uganda’s biggest medal prospects.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, indicated that both athletes have withdrawn for personal reasons. Officials have urged fans and the athletics fraternity to respect their privacy at this time. The final list of athletes representing Uganda has since been released, featuring a strong contingent despite the absence of the two icons.
Team Uganda – Tokyo 2025 World Championships
Women
- Shida Leni – 400m
- Halima Nakaayi – 800m
- Aciru Knight – 1500m
- Peruth Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
- Loice Chekwemoi – 3000m Steeplechase
- Sarah Chelangat – 5000m/10,000m
- Joy Cheptoyek – 5000m/10,000m
- Rebecca Chelangat – 10,000m
- Stella Chesang – 10,000m
- Chelangat Mercyline – Marathon
- Juliet Chekwel – Marathon
Men
- Victor Kiplangat – Marathon
- Solomon Mutai – Marathon
- Stephen Kissa – Marathon
- Abel Chelangat – 10,000m
- Dan Kibet – 5000m
- Oscar Chelimo – 5000m
- Kenneth Kiprop – 5000m
- Herbert Kibet – 800m
- Tom Dradriga – 3000m Steeplechase
- Leonard Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
While Uganda will miss the dominance of Cheptegei and Kiplimo in the long-distance races, the country’s medal hopes now rest on other seasoned names. Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai will lead the women’s steeplechase challenge, while Halima Nakaayi, the 2019 World 800m champion, is expected to mount a strong campaign in the middle distances.
On the men’s side, 2022 Commonwealth marathon champion Victor Kiplangat and the experienced Solomon Mutai will carry Uganda’s hopes in the marathon, while rising star Oscar Chelimo could provide surprises in the 5000m.
Joshua Cheptegei, widely regarded as one of the greatest long-distance runners of his generation, is the current world record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m. He has won multiple gold medals at the World Championships and the Olympics, including the 10,000m title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Cheptegei also secured back-to-back 10,000m world titles in 2019 and 2022, cementing his dominance on the track.
Jacob Kiplimo, on the other hand, has been Cheptegei’s closest rival and teammate, often pushing him to greater heights. Kiplimo is the 2020 World Half Marathon Champion and the 2022 Commonwealth Games double gold medalist in the 5,000m and 10,000m. He also won the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia. Known for his powerful finishing kick, Kiplimo has consistently been a podium threat in global competitions.
Together, Cheptegei and Kiplimo have put Uganda on the global athletics map, forming one of the most formidable duos in long-distance running.
Their absence in Tokyo leaves a significant gap not only for Team Uganda but also in the overall spectacle of the championships. However, Uganda’s next generation of athletes will now be tasked with stepping up and sustaining the nation’s growing reputation as a distance-running powerhouse.
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