Joshua Cheptegei, the Ugandan distance runner, has a special connection with the city of Bengaluru and the TCS World 10K. In 2014, a young Cheptegei traveled to Bengaluru for his first overseas trip, where he competed in the TCS World 10K and finished second behind his mentor, Geoffrey Kamworor. This experience gave him the confidence to go on and win the 10,000m gold at the World Junior Athletics Championships that same year. Since then, Cheptegei has had a stellar senior career, winning two Olympic gold medals and setting world records in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Now, 11 years after his first appearance in Bengaluru, Cheptegei has returned to compete in the TCS World 10K. He has turned nostalgic, remembering his maiden appearance in the city, which he credits as the starting point of his successful career. “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,” Cheptegei said.
Cheptegei has now shifted his focus from track events to road races, feeling that he has accomplished enough on the track. He hopes to start a new chapter in his career in Bengaluru, where he feels a sense of comfort and confidence. He has rated his 2024 Olympic 10,000m gold as a career highlight, having previously won silver in the event. Cheptegei was determined to win the gold in Paris, and his success was a culmination of his hard work and dedication.
Cheptegei’s return to Bengaluru is a testament to the significance of the city and the TCS World 10K in his career. He hopes to use this event as a springboard to launch the second half of his career, which he believes will be just as successful as the first. With his impressive track record and newfound focus on road races, Cheptegei is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics. His story is an inspiration to young athletes, showing that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.