Team Uganda finished 11th on the table standings as the curtains went down on the World Athletics Championships 2023 that took place in Budapest, Hungary, from 19–27 August 2023.
Uganda finished the championships with two medals, both gold to be specific – Joshua Cheptegei (10,000m) and Victor Kiplangat (Marathon).
Kenya finished fifth with 10 medals, including three Golds from Faith Kipyegon (2) and Mary Moraa.
Ethiopia were sixth with nine medals, including two Golds from Gudaf Tsegay (Women’s 10,000m) and Amane Shankule (Women’s Marathon).
African powerhouse South Africa who took 36 athletes to Budapest, did not win a single medal.
Only 39 countries of the 203 that took part, managed to leave the championships with at least a medal. Eight (8) settled for a bronze each.
Medals were awarded in 49 events across track and field and road races
A team trophy has gone to the United States after topping the placing table (points awarded for 1st to 8th place) at the end of the Championships.
They won 29 medals – 12 gold, 8 silver and 9 bronze.
Uganda at the 2023 World Athletics Championships
Many will feel Uganda could have done better than two medals in Budapest.
But the injury to Jacob Kiplimo on August 1 in Kapchorwa training meant he pulled out of the event
Joshua Cheptegei pulled out of the 5000m citing injury, and he could have won a medal in the event.
Stephen Kissa was a medal hopeful until that slip around the 33rd KM to settle for fifth in the Marathon.
And there were more hopes in Peruth Chemutai (3000m SC), Oscar Chelimo (5000m) and Halima Nakaayi (800m) who competed in finals on the last day.
Focus will turn to the Paris Olympics next year while the next World Championships will be held in Tokyo (Japan) in 2025.
Men
•Joshua Cheptegei (10,000m) – GOLD
•Victor Kiplangat (Marathon) – GOLD
•Stephen Kissa (Marathon) – 5th
•Leonard Chemutai (3000m SC) – Final, 12th
•Andrew Kwemoi (Marathon) – Did Not Finish
•Rogers Kibet (10,000m) – 22nd
•Joel Ayeko (10,000m) – Did Not Finish
•Oscar Chelimo (5000m) – Final, Did Not Finish
•Tarsis Orogot (200m) – Semis, 3rd (Did not Advance)
•Tom Dradriga (800m) – Heats (Did not Advance)
•Abu Mayanja (1500m) – Heats (Did Not Advance)
Women
•Peruth Chemutai (3000m SC) – 7th (final)
•Halimah Nakaayi (800m) – 8th (final)
•Rebecca Cheptegei (Marathon) – 14th
•Mercyline Chelangat (Marathon) – 18th
•Doreen Chesang (Marathon) – 21st
•Stella Chesang (10,000m) – 16th
•Sarah Chelangat (10,000m) – 10th
•Sarah Chelangat (5000m) – Heats (Did Not Advance)
•Prisca Chesang (5000m) – Heats (Did Not Advance)
•Winnie Nanyondo (1500m) – Heats (Did Not Advance)
How has Uganda been Performing in Past Editions?
•At 2022 Oregon, Uganda finished 16th on the medal table in 2022 in Oregon after claiming three medals – Cheptegei won Gold (10,000) while Jacob Kiplimo (10,000) and Oscar Chelimo (5000) clinched bronze each then
•At 2019 Doha, Uganda finished a joint 9th after winning two medals, both gold by Joshua Cheptegei (10,000m) and Halimah Nakaayi (800m).
•Cheptegei won Uganda’s only medal (Silver – 10,000m) at 2017 London, to finish 31st then
•Uganda also won one medal – Solomon Mutai’s bronze in Marathon in Beijing 2015.
•Uganda won one medal at 2013 Moscow – Stephen Kiprotich’s Marathon gold.
•At 2011 Daegu (Korea), Uganda finished without a single medal, despite taking 12 athletes at the games.
•At 2009 Berlin (Germany) – Uganda came back empty handed, having taken 12 athletes as well.
•At 2007 Osaka, Uganda won one medal – Moses Kipsiro clinching bronze at the 5000m behind Bernard Lagat (US) and Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya).
•At 2005 Helsinki (Finland), Uganda won one medal, Dorcus Inzikuru’s gold medal in the 3000m Steeplechase.
•Nothing at 2003 in Paris, 2001 Edmonton and 1999 Seville.
•Davis Kamoga won Uganda’s first ever medal at World Championships – Silver in 400m (National Record) – behind the great Michael Johnson (US) at the 1997 Athens.
