Stella Chesang, Sarah Chelangat in 10,000m finals as Uganda opens medal hunt

Stella Chessang (middle) will be making her fourth attempt at world title in Budapest in the women's 10,000m finals. IAAF

ATHLETICS Stella Chesang, Sarah Chelangat in 10,000m finals as Uganda opens medal hunt

Moses King 08:36 - 19.08.2023

Chesang, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 10,000m, will lead Uganda's hunt for a podium finish tonight with teammate Sarah Chelangat.

he opening day at the 2023 World Athletics Championships presents an opportunity for a podium finish with Uganda's Stella Chesang and Sarah Chelangat up against global heavyweights in the 10,000m finals slated for 9:55 pm EAT.

Chesang, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 10,000m, will lead Uganda's hunt for a podium finish tonight with teammate Sarah Chelangat.

Chesang holds the national record 31:01.04. She set in the 10,000m finals in Eugene, Oregon, last year.

Stella Chesang will make her fourth attempt at winning a medal at the World Championships | Photo Credit: NN Running

Before the 2023 world games, Chesang enjoyed an excellent season participating in field events.

She won bronze at her debut Hamburg Marathon, a 30km race in April, as she set a new national record posting 2:20:2.

The 10,000m national record holder only returned to active athletics last year after maternity leave.

However, she marked her return in style by winning the 2022 Absa Run Your City 10,000m race in South Africa, posting 30: 39.

The experienced star will take on her fourth attempt at the Worlds, while compatriot Sarah Chelengat hopes to earn her breakthrough.

Chelangat's personal best in 10,000m, 31:06.46, a previous national record, was set in 2020 at the FBK After Summer Competition, Hengelo, Netherlands.

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Sifan Hassan

The star-studded race will feature the favourite for gold, Dutch star Sifan Hassan who will participate in two events, 5000m and 10,000m.

The 30-year-old won double gold at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze in 1500m and then prioritised marathon events, where she set a national record at the London Marathon in April this year.

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Ethiopian duo Gudaf Tsegay and Letesenbet Gidey have been tremendous ahead of the World Championships, setting up high expectations in Budapest.

Other than the Ethiopians, Kenya’s Grace Loibach Nawowuna and American star Alicia Monson are other athletes that could compete for the podium.

Before the big event, other compatriots, Leonard Chemutai will be taking part in preliminaries in the 3000m SC heats at 12:50 pm EAT, Winnie Nanyondo in 1500m warms at 2:48 pm EAT, and Abua Mayanja in 1500m heats at 8:20 pm EAT.

Uganda is represented by 20 athletes in the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Budapest, which gets underway on August 19.

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