Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei, the 10,000m world record holder, has explained why he is not disappointed despite missing a podium place at the World Cross Country Championships.
World 10,000m record holder Joshua Cheptegei is not frustrated after missing a podium finish at the World Cross Country and he soldiers with eyes fixed on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Cheptegei explained that as long as the title was retained in Uganda by his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo, there was no need for him to feel bad about failing to win the senior men’s race. In the race, Cheptegei managed a sixth-place finish, clocking 28:24 to cross the finish line in the tight men’s race.
He insisted that teamwork is what worked for them and propelled Kiplimo to claim his second successive victory in the cross country following last year’s victory in Bathurst, Australia.
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“For me what mattered the most was that we won as a country and of course we worked together and you saw what happened from the race.
“I always never have a problem with not winning especially if someone from my country has won…cross country needs teamwork,” he said in an interview.
Cheptegei added that he was not well prepared for the race, something that set him back from impressing. He disclosed that it took him a long time to recover from his full marathon debut in Valencia hence lacking enough time to train.
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“I was not prepared for the world cross country and I didn’t do what I always do in terms of preparation, speed endurance…I didn’t do that because of my previous year.
“I debuted in the marathon last season and it took time for me to recover and also the 10km race earlier this season. But above all, I’m grateful and I always appreciate setbacks since they make me hungry for the future,” he said.
As his focus shifts to the Olympic Games, the three-time World champion has plans to win his first-ever gold medal over the distance.
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“I’m very hungry and very passionate to win the 10,000m in Paris. I have never won a gold and this year that’s what I’m going for,” he said.