By Spy Uganda
Uganda’s Rebecca Chelangat delivered a commanding performance to win gold in the women’s 10,000m final, opening the athletics programme in style at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh on Monday night. Competing at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium, Chelangat clocked an impressive 32:11.42, edging out Qatar’s Violah Motosio (32:13.59) and Djibouti’s Samiya Hassan Nour.
Her victory lifts Uganda’s medal tally at the 2025 Games to seven, including three golds, as Team Uganda continues to impress across multiple disciplines.
In other athletics action, Leonard Chemutai narrowly missed out on a podium place, finishing fourth in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Meanwhile, javelin thrower Josephine Joyce Lalam was forced to withdraw from competition after sustaining a knee injury on her first attempt.
Competition resumes on Tuesday with Uganda’s Abel Chebet set to contest the men’s 10,000m final, alongside a slate of middle-distance races. Wrestling events also commence, promising more medal opportunities for the team.
Uganda’s delegation was further boosted on Monday by the arrival of para powerlifter Denis Mbaziira and his coach, Kenneth Sekiranda. The Games continue in Riyadh until 21 November.
So far, Uganda’s medal haul is as follows:
- Gloria Muzito – Gold (50m freestyle), Gold (100m freestyle), Silver (200m freestyle)
- Jesse Ssengonzi – Bronze (100m butterfly)
- Alfred Ojok – Bronze (Light heavyweight -80kg)
- Jemimah Nakawala & Parvin Judith Nangonzi – Bronze (Table tennis women’s doubles)
Uganda will be looking to build on this strong momentum as the Games enter a critical phase.
