27th August, 2023
Ugandan Victor Kiplangat won the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Sunday after producing a devastating final third to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.
The Commonwealth champion clocked a winning time of 2hr 08min 53sec on the streets of the Hungarian capital after breaking free in the last 15 kilometres.
Israel’s Ethiopian-born Maru Teferi followed up on his European silver last year with second place in 2:09.12, while Ethiopian Leul Gebresilase took bronze (2:09.19).
“This has been my dream and it has come true at last,” said Kiplangat.
“Last year I was Commonwealth Games champion and that made me think this year I must become world champion. Now my prayers have been answered and hopefully next year in Paris I will become Olympic champion too.”
Kiplangat, 23, added: “It was hard today because it was so hot but I felt comfortable because I prepared well for this weather. I knew it was possible because I had trained well.”
Ethiopia’s defending champ Tola said he pulled out because of stomach pains.
“I was trying my best. I was feeling good until 30km,” he said. “But after that, I started to have a bad feeling in my stomach.
“I did not sleep the whole night because I had a problem with my stomach and I was about to puke but nothing came out because I ate rice with a lot of salt.”