Prisca Chesang: The 19-year-old who beat two World Champions to win gold in Madrid

January 2, 2023 3:50 PM

RADP / Pulse Uganda > Sports > Athletics

Age is nothing but a number for Prisca Chesang. The 19-year-old long distance athlete beat two world champions to win gold at the San Silvestre Vallecana 10Km race in Madrid on December 31.

Prisca Chesang

While the victory of athletics royalty, Joshua Cheptegei, returning from a 5-month-break due to injury, stole the headlines in the men’s category, a youngster stole the thunder from two world champions.

In August 2022, the 19-year-old won Uganda’s sole medal at the World Juniors Championships held in the Cali, Colombia and has now announced her entry to the senior category in grand fashion.

Uganda’s 19-year-old Prisca Chesang has impressively clinched a bronze medal at the World Juniors Championships (WJC) 2022. She posted 15 minutes, 31 seconds and 17 microseconds to clinch a bronze medal.

In a perfect year-ender for budding talent, Chesang beat two-time world indoor champions Francine Niyonsaba who holds the 5:21.26 record in 2000m and the World 3000m steeplechase record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech.

Chesang posted 30:19 to win gold, Niyonsaba settled for silver with a time of 30:58 with the 2019 World 3000m steeplechase chase champion, Chepkoech took bronze with a personal best of 31:06.

Reigning Ethiopian 10km National champion Mahlet Mulugeta and Spain’s Naima Ait Alibou came home in fourth and fifth place in a time of 31:57 and 32:36 (pb) respectively.