Uganda Long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei has set off for the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland on Friday.
Cheptegei will compete with athletes including Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega, Bekele Belihu, and the 2023 season world lead holder in 5000m Yomiv Kajelcha, Kenya’s Jacob Krop, Martin Kimeli, and Ahmad Muhamad from Canada, among other athletes.
Following his participation in the first Rome Diamond League, where he finished fourth, Cheptegei has been training in Kapchorwa under the guidance of his Management Coach, Addy Ruiter, and his police club coach, Benjamin Njia.
Cheptegei said that the preparation schedule set by his coaches has improved his fitness level, and is now ready to face off against other World Class Athletes.
Ruiter told Uganda Radio Network that he expects great performance from the athlete.
“He is Injury free, his health is equally okay so nothing to doubt, let’s just wait for the day and weigh how he is now ahead of Budapest”. Ruiter said.
Benjamin Njia, the Uganda Athletics National, Vice President Technical, believes that the preparation was positive and a great result is a possibility.
Cheptegei will be Uganda’s only contestant at Lausanne after Jacob Kiplimo turned down the invitation.