The 28-year-old is the tenth man in history to hold the 5000m and 10000m world records concurrently, both set in 2020.
Paris Olympics 10000m gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei has been rewarded with a 10-acre piece of land in Nakasongola district, Uganda, by former FIFA referee Muhammed Ssegonga.
The reward is in recognition for the 28-year-old's continued dominance on the track both in 5000m and 10000m. Cheptegei, the world record holder in both categories, stormed to the finish line in Paris in 26min 43.14 seconds, ahead of Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and USA’s Grant Fisher.
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The Ugandan, who took silver in Tokyo and gold over 5000 metres, produced a devastating last 600 metres and his finishing time took 18 seconds off Kenenisa Bekele's 2008 Olympic record.
Ssegonga, who officiated at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2008 (Ghana) and 2010 (Angola), including the final of the 2010 edition, made the announcement at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. "I have always loved to appreciate someone extraordinary for the good deeds when he or she is still alive. I donate 10 acres of land to our athlete Joshua Cheptegei for the great service executed,” Ssegonga said as reported by Kawowo.com.
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Ssegonga made the announcement during the send-off dinner of the International Olympics Committee president Sebastian Coe. “This is appreciation to Joshua Cheptegei for the work well done for the country. The land title is here and should be transferred into his name at any time earliest next week,” he said while handing over the cheque.
Cheptegei won a gold medal in the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Cheptegei is the tenth man in history to hold the 5000m and 10000m world records concurrently, both set in 2020. He is a three-time world champion in 10000m