Off the wire
• 1st LD Writethru: S. Korea declares de-facto end of MERS outbreak  • Russia dominates synchronised swimming team technique at Kazan worlds  • Results of women's 10m synchro platform at Kazan worlds  • Players from 10 African nations attend Uganda Professionals Golf event  • Russia expects to see positive growth in economy next year  • Feature: Unique way of wrestling in Turkey  • Results of synchronied swimming team technique at Kazan worlds  • Roundup: Italian Serie A, goal--line technology, hymn unveiled at Milan Expo  • Brazil midfielder Fred fails doping test  • Urgent: S. Korea declares de-facto end of MERS outbreak  
You are here: 　 Home

Ten Ugandan athletes qualify for IAAF World Championships in Beijing

Xinhua, July 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) has announced that 10 athletes have qualified for the 2015 IAAF World Championships to take place in Beijing, China.

   The event that attracts top athletes in the world will be hosted at the National Stadium of the Chinese capital in August.

  "We have qualified 10 athletes who hit the qualifying targets and we have another two weeks to go if more can make it," Beatrice Ayikoru, the Federation Secretary told Xinhua on Monday.

   World marathon and Olympic gold winner Stephen Kiprotich is among the top athletes expected to perform well in Beijing.

  "I know several athletes will be all out to try and deny me chance to defend my title, but I am working hard and know it will not be a very easy race," Kiprotich told Xinhua.

   Ayikoru explained that double Commonwealth gold medalist Moses Kipsiro who is also not include on the team for the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville this year has still failed to make the team. She said that Kipsiro has been running in several races in Europe, but has failed to hit the qualifying mark.

   Another athlete Joshua Cheptegei managed to qualify for his first World Athletics Championships after posting a new personal best at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field last month.

   In a race won by England's Mohammed Farah, Cheptegei posted a time of 27 minutes 27.57 in the 10,000m race to qualify after coming 8th. Timothy Toroitich who clocked 27:39.71 in the same race also qualified.

   Juliet Chekwel who will compete in the 10,000m race is the only female athlete who has so far qualified to represent Uganda.    

   Speaking about the funds, Ayikoru said although the world body pays for the air travel and accommodation for all the athletes, they will need to look around for money for allowances.

   Following is the team:

   Juliet Chekwel, Phillip Kipyeko, Jackson Kiprop, Ronald Musagala, Solom Mutai, Moses Kibet, Stephen Kiprotich, Kiprui Joshua Cheptegei, Timothy Toroitich, Abraham Kiplimo.

  Endi