Uganda’s performance at the ongoing Olympic games in Rio de Jenairo remains awful after another disappointment when long distance runner Juliet Chekwel failed to finish in the 10000metre finals on Friday a race won by Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana who set a new world record at 29:17:45.
Chekwel who dropped out after 24 laps joined the trio of boxer Kenneth Katende, swimmers Jamila Lunkuse and Joshua Ekirikubinza who also failed in their respective categories.
Focus now shifts as three other Ugandan athletes will be in action today (Saturday). Boxer Ronald Sserugo, youngster Joshua Cheptegei and Peruth Chemutai will be seeking to change the precedent set by the four Ugandans who have competed so far, with the quartet failing to progress or winning.
Sserugo will fight against Armenia’s Nirek Abgaryan in the Flyweight (52kgs) round of 32 about at 4pm. The 31 year old boxer alias “the thunder” will be making his second appearance at the Olympics since his maiden show in Beijing in 2008 where he lost in the first round. He faces Abgaryan who won silver at the European Olympic qualifiers in June.
The other Ugandan in action today is Joshua Cheptegei who will compete in the 10,000metres final. Cheptegei will face stiff competition from Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor and defending champion Mo Farah.
Peruth Chemutai will also compete in the 3,000metre steeplechase semifinals.