By John Barnes Ssentamu
Uganda’s Rebecca Chelangat opened the athletics programme with a gold medal in the women’s 10,000m final at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh on Monday night. She posted 32:11.42, finishing ahead of Qatar’s Violah Motosio (32:13.59) and Djibouti’s Samiya Hassan Nour.
Chelangat’s win brings Uganda’s tally at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 to seven medals, including three golds.
In other track events, Leonard Chemutai placed fourth in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Javelin thrower Josephine Joyce Lalam failed to complete her event after sustaining a knee injury on her first attempt.
Competition continues on Tuesday, with Abel Chebet set for the men’s 10,000m final alongside several middle-distance races. Wrestling events also get underway.
Para powerlifter Denis Mbaziira and coach Kenneth Sekiranda have arrived in Riyadh for the Games, which run until 21 November.
Uganda’s other medals so far include:
- 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)
