The famous Rome Diamond League in Florence, Italy is set to offer the multiple world champion and record-holder, Joshua Cheptegei, a gold-winning lifeline.
The 10000m and 5000m world beater, Cheptegei checked in Italy on May 31, ahead of the star-studded 5000m action slated for Friday.
Shortly after winning gold in Eugene, Oregon during the World Athletics Championships 2022, injuries have dogged Cheptegei, disrupting his ever-strong winning rate.
In his last four competitive races, the serial winner has only been able to triumph once when he pocketed gold at the San Silvestre 10km road race in Madrid Spain.
He was ninth in the 5000m World Champs in Oregon, and third at World Cross Country Championships 2023 in Bathurst, Australia, months ago.
Cheptegei is in Italy ahead of Friday Rome Diamond League in Florence. (Photo By Javier Silas Omagor)
While at the 16th edition of the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon, the 26-year-old came second with a time of 1:02.09, as compatriot Jacob Kiplimo clinched victory.
Injury setbacks
The same nagging injuries prevented Cheptegei from representing his country at the 2023 Commonwealth Games hosted in Birmingham city, England.
His recent uncharacteristic performances are a clear sign that the injury setbacks dealt a significant blow to his fitness levels, perhaps even confidence-wise.
Despite his minor struggles, Cheptegei has his green card qualification to the looming 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships in August.
Nonetheless, he must be in a good condition to compete at the expected standards in the Hungarian capital.
Now, in what looks like a move to mastermind a fierce comeback, his personal coach, Addy Ruiter and Management Agency, Global Sport Communication have lined up Florence action for Cheptegei.
In an exclusive interview on Tuesday 31, Ruiter who is currently in the Netherlands said, “it is a good test at the moment in a strong field.”
By “strong field” the veteran Dutchman was referring to the fierce competitors his athlete will be racing against including Berihu Arigawi, the World record-holder in 5KM road race, Selemon Barega, Tokyo Olympics 10000m champion and Kenya’s talented Jacob Krop.
The quality field also features the likes of Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya, Ahmed Mohammed from Canada as well as Ethiopia’s Hail Teragu Bekele.
At least in the top three
Ruiter knows that Cheptegei must be at his best to outrun these outstanding competitors.
“In such a strong field, time is not important. It is all about finishing at least in the top three,” he noted.
In what seems an attempt to deflate pressure on Cheptegei’s shoulders, the experienced tactician signalled how victory was not a do-or-die.
“Winning is always nice, but we do not have expectations that if he (Cheptegei) does not win, it affects his preparations for Budapest,” he added.
The long-distance ace himself is more positive about his strength and fitness levels, “better than my New York Marathon preparations.”
Perhaps if he gets it right in whichever way the management defines that word, it will indeed provide the much-needed lifeline for Cheptegei before he captains the national team to Budapest.
If it does not go to plan, there will be another opportunity as the management has also scheduled another Diamond League for him at Lausanne on June 30.
Succinctly, Cheptegei, Uganda’s greatest athlete of all time is an unrivalled mental monster in the game who has mastered the art of showing up when it matters.