The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Sunday 1.15am: Uganda ??marathon team ▶ Robert Chemonges, Alex Chesakit, Solomon Mutai
Sunday 1pm: CLOSING CEREMONY
Gold Coast, Australia | THE INDEPENDENT | In the absence of former Olympic and World champion Stephen Kiprotich, Team Uganda will be led by Solomon Mutai as the Commonwealth games conclude with the marathon on Sunday.
In a few hours time, Mutai will lead an experienced Ugandan marathon team out still seeking a first ever Commonwealth Games gold. Gold success has come in other track events, especially the 10,000m, but the luck of the Commonwealth marathon is still lacking.
The marathon has provided Uganda most medals at the World Championships – two out of the country’s five so far. Add the gold from the 2012 Olympics, and the 42.19 km event remains one of Uganda’s main medal hopes.
Going by his personal best time of 2:09:59, Mutai, World championship 2015 bronze medalist, will be one of the athletes to watch as the Commonwealth Games ends for Uganda with the marathon.
He will aim to improve on his 4th place in the last Commonwealth games in Glasgow, one of the best performances in the marathon for Uganda. Abraham Kiplimo got the first marathon medal. A year earlier, Mutai had finished 8th at the Rio Olympics.
Uganda’s marathon team would have been the strongest ever if the athletics governing body UAF had agreed to a request by triple-gold medalist Moses Kipsiro to feature in the marathon, and not the 10,000m race in which he had been placed. He was dropped from the team altogether.
| Rank | Athlete | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 Michael Shelley (AUS) |
2:11:15 | PB |
 |
 Stephen Kwelio Chemlany (KEN) |
2:11:58 | |
 |
 Abraham Kiplimo (UGA) |
2:12:23 | |
| 4 | Munyo Solomon Mutai (UGA) |
2:12:26 |
The three marathon runners Uganda has fielded in Gold Coast, are the same team that competed at the last World Championships in London last year. Uganda’s Solomon Mutai finished 11th in 2:13:29, and Robert Chemonges 43rd in in 2:21:24. Cheskit fell out.
Meanwhile, it has been a day of mixed results for Uganda Saturday, the penultimate day of the competition.
Uganda Rugby Cranes were shot down early, falling 31-5 to Wales, 54-0 by Fiji and 33-10 to Sri Lanka.
The track and field women’s relay team came 8th in the 400m relay final while Julite Chekwel came 4th in 15:30.17. Mercyline Chelangat came 11th in 15:50.01.
Uganda has so far won three gold and two bronze medals. They are 16th on the standings table.
The curtain will draw on the XXI Commonwealth Games later in the day but not before one final celebration in true Gold Coast style.
Eleven days after a spectacular opening, the Closing Ceremony will deliver a fitting tribute to the remarkable athletic feats, extraordinary teamwork and marvellous community participation on show throughout the Games.
Carrara Stadium will host the Closing Ceremony with an emotional, fun and dazzling finale.
Uganda medals Commonwealth games
| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 Vancouver | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| 1958 Cardiff | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| 1962 Perth | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
| 1966 Kingston | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| 1970 Edinburgh | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| 1974 Christchurch | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 10 |
| 1982 Brisbane | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| 1990 Auckland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
| 1994 Victoria | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
| 1998 Kuala Lumpur | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 32 |
| 2002 Manchester | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 30 |
| 2006 Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 15 |
| 2010 Delhi | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| 2014 Glasgow | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 18 |
| Total | 13 | 15 | 21 | 49 | 18 |
Uganda’s history at Commonwealth games
| Medal | Name | Games | Sport | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold |
George Oywello | 1962 Perth | Boxing | Heavyweight |
| Gold |
James Odwori | 1970 Edinburgh | Boxing | Light Flyweight |
| Gold |
Mohamed Muruli | 1970 Edinburgh | Boxing | Light Welterweight |
| Gold |
Benson Masanda | 1970 Edinburgh | Boxing | Heavyweight |
| Gold |
Mohamed Muruli | 1974 Christchurch | Boxing | Welterweight |
| Gold |
Ayub Kalule | 1974 Christchurch | Boxing | Lightweight |
| Gold |
Justin Juuko | 1990 Auckland | Boxing | Light Flyweight (– 48 kg) |
| Gold |
Godfrey Nyakana | 1990 Auckland | Boxing | Lightweight (– 60 kg) |
| Gold |
Dorcus Inzikuru | 2006 Melbourne | Athletics | 3000m Steeplechase |
| Gold |
Boniface Kiprop | 2006 Melbourne | Athletics | 10,000 metres |
| Gold |
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro | 2010 Delhi | Athletics | 5,000 metres |
| Gold |
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro | 2010 Delhi | Athletics | 10,000 metres |
| Gold |
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro | 2014 Glasgow | Athletics | 10,000 metres |
| Silver |
Patrick Etolu | 1954 Vancouver | Athletics | High Jump |
| Silver |
Thomas Kawere | 1958 Cardiff | Boxing | Welterweight |
| Silver |
Kesi Odongo | 1962 Perth | Boxing | Lightweight |
| Silver |
Leo Rwabwogo | 1970 Edinburgh | Boxing | Flyweight |
| Silver |
Deogratias Musoke | 1970 Edinburgh | Boxing | Featherweight |
| Silver |
William Koskei | 1970 Edinburgh | Athletics | 400 metres hurdles |
| Silver |
Silver Ayoo | 1974 Christchurch | Athletics | 400 metres |
| Silver |
James Odwori | 1974 Christchurch | Boxing | Light Flyweight |
| Silver |
Ali Rojo | 1974 Christchurch | Boxing | Bantamweight |
| Silver |
Shadrack Odhiambo | 1974 Christchurch | Boxing | Featherweight |
| Silver |
Ruth Kyalisima | 1982 Brisbane | Athletics | 400m Hurdles |
| Silver |
Peter Rwamuhanda | 1982 Brisbane | Athletics | 400m Hurdles |
| Silver |
Victor Byarugaba | 1982 Brisbane | Boxing | Light Middleweight |
| Silver |
Joseph Lubega | 2002 Manchester | Boxing | Light Heavyweight |
| Silver |
Mohamed Kayongo | 2002 Manchester | Boxing | Light Welterweight |
