Kampala, 28 February (HS): Uganda's Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei will compete in the Tokyo Marathon on March 2. Cheptegei, who has won Olympic gold medals in 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, will enter this marathon.

Cheptegei told Xinhua, I made my debut in the Valencia Marathon last year and finished 37th. Now I am in better condition and hope to perform well.

He said that he has been engaged in intensive training for the last few months.

Along with Cheptegei, Uganda's Stephen Kissa will also enter the Tokyo Marathon. Kissa set a national record of 2:04:48 at the 2022 Hamburg Marathon.

He said, I am fully prepared physically and mentally and am excited about this competition.

However, this Ugandan duo is likely to face a tough challenge. Defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya and Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia are also among the contenders for the title.

The Tokyo Marathon will also serve as a selection test for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which has further increased the importance of this competition.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar