Long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei is the winner of the USPA (Uganda Sports Press Association) Fans Choice Award.
Cheptegei claims the award after garnering 70% of the vote. He was up against female runner Halimah Nakaayi (29%) and footballer Emmanuel Okwi (1%). Voting was conducted via USPA website.
Cheptegei will receive the award this Wednesday, 18th November 2020 at the Kampala Serena Hotel BallRoom when USPA holds its annual gala in the afternoon that will also mark the association’s 50-year anniversary.
Cheptegei becomes the second recipient of the award following its induction last year. The inaugural winner was rugby star Philip Wokorach.
The poll that saw Cheptegei emerge winner was considered on the 2019 achievements.
In 2019, Cheptegei, among other achievements claimed his maiden world record when he won the 10,000m world title in Doha.
However, Cheptegei has registered a lot of success this year, claiming three World Records which might have influenced the sports fans to cast their votes on him.
In October, Cheptegei, 23, posted a winning time of 26:11.02 at the NN Valencia World Record Day to break the 10,000m world record.
In August, Cheptegei broke Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) record by about two seconds with a winning time of 12 minutes 35.36 seconds to claim a career third world title. Bekele’s winning time was 12:37.35 at the Monaco Diamond League.
In February this year, Cheptegei broke the 5km road world record still in Monaco.
However, other outstanding athletes (both male and female) in all sports disciplines will also be recognized at the USPA event.
