Ugandans are expressing their joy and heaping congratulatory messages upon long distance athlete, Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei, who on Sunday morning won the 5000m gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Museveni leads celebrations of Uganda's first gold medal at 2018 Commonwealth Games
The victory has particularly been sweeter for Ugandans who in 2017, watched as Cheptegei slipped from a commanding first place in the early laps to finish in 30th position, at the World Cross Country Championship held in Kampala, Uganda.
At the time, Cheptegei’s desperate last lap became an internet joke as Ugandans chose to laugh off their disappointment.
Since then, the 21 year old athlete has won won silver at the IAAF World Championships in London and run the world’s second fastest 15km race ever at the Seven Hills Race in Netherlands.
Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni led the celebrations of Uganda’s first gold medal at this year’s Commonwealth games, won at the expense of Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed and Kenyan teenager Edward Zakayo.
Congratulations to Joshua Cheptegei for winning gold in the Men's 5,000m finals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Australia. Uganda is proud of you.— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) 8 avril 2018
Stuff of dreams!!?? Oh Uganda! What a moment! joshuacheptege1 won gold? today at gc2018 ...?? ??
It was a remarkable moment to sing the national anthem!I was overwhelmed with 1000 emotions!? unbelievable joy mostly.??? #gc2018athletics pic.twitter.com/9ni0MbZmJd— aisha nassanga (@AishaSports) 8 avril 2018
Congratulations Joshua upon your amazing run. Your country salutes and celebrates you. #CountryBeforeSelf pic.twitter.com/nuqP1Ekmau— Mugisha Muntu (@mugishamuntu) 8 avril 2018
Uganda’s Cheptegei wins GOLD! Congratulations. Great performance- keep it up. You’ve made us proud. PGovUg joshuacheptege1 thecgf UgAthletesForum iaaforg ntvuganda nbstv bbstvug observerug newvisionwire DailyMonitor 892cbsFm Radiosimbatweet pic.twitter.com/AZBIdI4Xha
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (kizzabesigye1) 8 avril 2018
Video: #GC2018 commentator describes #Uganda ?? as a country of immense culture, music and energy, one of his favourite places! That is #MyCountry, the #PearlofAfrica. #Visit us, #Travel! #GC2018Athletics #GoldCoast pic.twitter.com/K3v8LV9tng— Sarah Kagingo (@SarahKagingo) 8 avril 2018
Joshua Cheptegei, who was mocked when he nearly collapsed during the IAAF championship in Kampala, has just won Gold at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast
Success and your many fathers.. please arrive!
Congratulations Joshua, always proving your doubters. pic.twitter.com/eo1MLJZWyi— Nduhukire NTV ?? (@Snduhukire) 8 avril 2018
Team Uganda has since increased its medal tally with Stella Chesang winning gold in the women’s 10,000m final and Mercyline Chelangat winning bronze in the same race.
Team Africa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
While Ugandans are celebrating a gold medal, it is the South African delegation that has had the most success so far, in terms of medals won by an African country.
With 8 gold medals by Monday, South Africa’s total tally of 18 medals has them currently at fifth position on the Commonwealth Games medals table.
The gold medals have been won by Henri Schoeman, in the men’s triathlon, Tatjana Schoenmaker, women’s 200m breaststroke, Chad le Clos in the men’s 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly and 500m butterfly, Cameron van der Burgh in the men’s 50 metre breaststroke and surprise 100m winner Akani Simbine who beat the race favorite, Jamaican Yohan Blake.
Mauritius, Kenya Cameroon, Nigeria are the other African countries that have made it to the medals table, with one silver medal, one silver and two bronze medals, one bronze medal, two silver medals respectively.