ATHLETICS | Joshua Cheptegei is back to where it all began and is loving it

Joshua Cheptegei's journey from Bengaluru to Olympic gold, breaking records along the way, now focusing on road races.

The city of Bengaluru and the TCS World 10K holds great significance to Joshua Cheptegei. 

It was in 2014 when a young Cheptegei travelled to these parts, in what was his first overseas trip. He competed hard in the international elite men’s field, and finished a creditable second behind his mentor, Geoffrey Kamworor. 

That showing gave him immense confidence going into the 2014 World junior athletics championships, where he claimed the 10,000m gold. 

The Ugandan then went to have a stellar senior career, studded with two Olympic golds (2020 Tokyo 5,000m, and 2024 Paris 10,000m). 

Cheptegei is also the current 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder.

Now back to compete in the TCS World 10K after a gap of 11 years, Cheptegei turned nostalgic when asked about his maiden appearance in Bengaluru.  

“The 2014 TCS World 10K was the starting point for me — it opened opportunities for me. After that run, I was a changed person. I could mentally focus and chase my dreams. I was fully determined to conquer the world,” Cheptegei said here on Friday.