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At just 26 years old, Cheptegei has already amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including Olympic gold in the 5000m, two world 10,000m titles, and world records in both events.
In the world of athletics, there are athletes who achieve great success, and then there are those exceptional individuals who redefine what it means to be a champion.
Joshua Cheptegei, the Ugandan distance running sensation, undoubtedly falls into the latter category.
With a string of remarkable achievements and world records to his name, Cheptegei's unwavering motivation and relentless pursuit of greatness continue to set him apart.
At just 26 years old, Cheptegei has already amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including Olympic gold in the 5000m, two world 10,000m titles, and world records in both events.
One might wonder what more could be left to offer someone who has achieved so much in such a short career.
"It's the dream,” Cheptegie told Citius Mag podcast, adding; “The dream about becoming one of the best athletes in the world."
While Cheptegei's remarkable achievements and records have solidified his status as one of the world's greatest distance runners, his idea of greatness extends beyond titles and medals.
For him, true greatness lies in consistency and longevity. "You don't have to show it only once," he emphasizes.
"You have to keep the consistency about what you want in life. You have to be the kind of guy who goes after the records and championship medals and wants to still be hungry before."
To maintain this level of consistency, Cheptegei draws inspiration from the legends of athletics, embracing the opportunity to learn from their experiences.
Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge is among those, with his unwavering commitment to the sport and his ability to compete at the highest level for over two decades.
"One time when I was still a young boy and I was training in a training camp in Kaptagat in 2015, I wanted to learn from him [Kipchoge],” he said.
“I spoke to him, so he spoke to me and gave me words of wisdom," Cheptegei recalled.
Cheptegei's journey has not been without challenges and setbacks. Injuries in 2022 affected his preparations for the World Championships, serving as a reminder that obstacles are an inherent part of any athletic career.
Yet, Cheptegei's response to these setbacks demonstrates his unwavering determination and resilience. He firmly believes in accepting setbacks and maintaining the right mindset to overcome them.
"I've had setbacks, it's part of the sport. You have to accept them in order to have the right mindset," he says.
And he will once again have to trigger that mindset as he prepares to fully recover from his latest set back, that has restricted him to only one race in close to a year since finishing 10th in the 5000m race at the World Championships in Oregon, USA.
He has however enjoyed great performances of the track, securing a victory at the the NN San Silvestre Vallecana 10K in Madrid in December 2022.
In 2023 already, Cheptegei got bronze but lost his World Cross-country title to his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo in Bathurst, Australia and then came second to Kiplimo at the New York Half-Marathon in the USA a month later.
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