By Jamillah Kemigisa
Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai was dramatically stretchered off the track on Wednesday after suffering a horrific fall while leading the women’s 3000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old, who made history as Uganda’s first female Olympic gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Games, had surged to the front early in the race, setting a blistering pace in one of the most anticipated finals of the competition.
But disaster struck midway through the race when Chemutai clipped a barrier and crashed to the ground. Gasps rippled through the packed Olympic Stadium as medical teams rushed to her aid. She was later stretchered off and taken to hospital for further assessment.
Cherotich Takes Gold After Dramatic Turn
The shocking incident cleared the way for Kenya’s rising star Faith Cherotich, 21, who powered through the final lap to take gold in a championship record time of 8:51.59.
Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, the defending world champion, secured silver, while Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew clinched bronze.
Chemutai’s fall brought Uganda’s medal hopes in the event to an abrupt end and left her fans and teammates visibly shaken.
“Peruth is currently under medical attention. We will provide updates on her condition once assessments are complete,” a spokesperson for the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) told reporters after the race.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the dangers of the steeplechase, a grueling event that tests speed, endurance, and technique over barriers and water jumps.
Chemutai’s future in competition now hinges on the results of her medical evaluation. Her supporters, fellow athletes, and the entire nation are anxiously waiting for news of her recovery and readiness for future events.
For Uganda, the setback is significant — but for Chemutai, whose career has been marked by resilience and historic triumphs, this could be yet another challenge to overcome on her path to greatness.
