Charity Cherop: Uganda’s rising star shines in international competitions

Women
1 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 23:32
2 Daisy Jepkemei (KZK) 23:59
3 Charity Cherop (UGA) 24:35

Men

1 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 21:24
2 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 21:24
3 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) 21:27

From clinching bronze at the 2024 Under-20 World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru, to securing third place at the prestigious Cross Internacional de Itálica in Spain on Sunday, Charity Cherop has established herself as one of Uganda’s most promising rising stars.

Cherop’s latest performance saw her compete against some of the world’s best, including Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, a two-time world cross-country champion. Running on a highly competitive 7.54km course, Cherop finished third with a time of 24:35, behind Chebet, who won the race in 23:32, and Kazakhstan’s Daisy Jepkemei, who clocked 23:59 to finish second.

Athletics coach Joshua Kibet, who was with Cherop in Lima, expressed confidence in her potential. “She is building herself mentally and growing in experience. I believe she is the next person to watch and rely on as a country. However, she still needs guidance and nurturing,” Kibet stated.

In an era where athletics is undergoing a generational transition, the emergence of young talents like Cherop is crucial. Athletes showing such promise need to be supported and protected to reach their full potential.

In the same race, Uganda had another female competitor, Knight Aciru, who clocked 27:21 to finish in 38th position.

The men’s race featured elite competition, including Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera, and Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi. Uganda fielded four athletes, with Kenneth Kiprop emerging as the top performer, finishing fifth. Kiprop is also one of the rising junior athletes who won bronze in the 5000m at the Under-20 World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru.

The other Ugandan athletes were Dan Kibet, who finished in 7th place, Martin Kiprotich in 10th place, and Hosea Kiplangat in 13th place. Ndikumwenayo, who completed the course in 21:24, narrowly edged Kwizera in a photo finish to win the race. Aregawi secured third place with a time of 21:27.

As the Ugandan athletes continue to perform on the international stage, the future looks bright for junior athletes who have shown resilience and potential in every race.