By Joshua A Bacwa
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won the Olympic women’s marathon in Sapporo on Saturday, outduelling compatriot Brigid Kosgei in the final minutes and claiming her country’s second consecutive gold medal in the event.
Kosgei took silver and Molly Seidel of the United States, competing in just her third marathon after moving up from shorter distances, claimed bronze.
Kenyans Kosgei, the world record holder, and world champion Ruth Chepngetich had been favourites to win gold on Saturday.
But it was two-time world half marathon champion Jepchirchir who came out on top with a time of 2:27:20, 16 seconds ahead of Kosgei and 26 seconds in front of Seidel.
How Ugandans performed:
Uganda’s Imammaculate Chemutai finished 16 with a timing of 2:32:23, the highest placement for a Ugandan female athlete at an Olympics Marathon. Another Ugandan in the race Juliet Chekwel finished 69th in a time of 2:53:40
Only 73 of the 88 athletes finished the race that was moved up an hour to avoid the heat.
Next races for team Uganda in Tokyo Olympics;
Saturday 7 August- Mercyline Chelangat will be in Women’s 10,000m final at 1:45pm (EAT)
Sunday 8th August : Stephen Kiprotich, Felix Chemonges and Fred Musobo will compete in Men’s Marathon at 1:00am (EAT)
