Peruth Chemutai (born July 10, 1999) is a Ugandan steeplechase runner. She won the gold medal in the women's 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, becoming the first Ugandan woman ever to win an Olympic medal.[1][2] She added a silver medal in this event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
 Peruth Chemutai in 2016 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1999 Bukwo District, Uganda |
| Sport | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Long-distance running |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests | |
Chemutai is the Ugandan record holder for the 3000 m steeplechase and 5 kilometres road race.
Career
editHailing from the Bukwo District, she took up running in 2013 after attending the District Athletics Championships in Bukwo as a casual fan.[3] At the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia, she won silver medals in the 1500 metres and 3000 metres.[3][4]
In 2016, the 17-year-old finished in seventh place in the final of the women's 3000 m steeplechase event at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships held in Bydgoszcz, Poland.[5]
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, her time of 9:31.03 in the heats did not qualify her for the final.[6][7]
She also competed in the junior women's race at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, finishing in seventh place.
At the 2018 World U20 Championships held in mid-July, she claimed a notable silver medal in the 3000 m steeplechase. A week later, at the Monaco Diamond League, she set a national record with a time of 9:07.94.
In 2019, she competed in the senior women's race at the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships held in Aarhus, Denmark. She finished in 5th place.[8]
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Chemutai competed in the 3000 m steeplechase. She beat pre-race favorites such as Beatrice Chepkoech and Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi to finish with a time of 9:01.45, a national record, and win the gold medal.[2][9] Chemutai became the first Ugandan woman ever to win an Olympic medal in any sport.[1]
In 2024, Peruth won the 3000m steeplechase race at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in a time of 8:55.09, beating her own national record and running under the 9-minute barrier for the first time, her time moved her up to 6th on the all time top lists.[10] Peruth won the silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics, finishing behind Winfred Yavi in a new Ugandan national record of 8:53.34. [11]
International competitions
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Commonwealth Youth Games | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:18.22 |
| 2nd | 3000 m | 9:20.20 | |||
| 2016 | World U20 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 7th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:49.29 |
| Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 17th (h) | 3000 m s'chase | 9:31.03 PB | |
| 2017 | World Cross Country Championships | Kampala, Uganda | 7th | XC 5.858 km U20 | 19:29 |
| World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 20th (h) | 3000 m s'chase | 9:43.04 | |
| 2018 | World U20 Championships | Tampere, Finland | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:18.87 |
| African Championships | Asaba, Nigeria | 5th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:45.42 | |
| 2019 | World Cross Country Championships | Aarhus, Denmark | 5th | XC 10.24 km | 36:49 |
| World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 5th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:11.08 | |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:01.45 NR |
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, OR, United States | 11th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:21.93 |
| Commonwealth Games | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 3rd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:23.24 | |
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 7th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:10.26 |
| 2024 | African Games | Accra, Ghana | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:16.07 |
| Olympic Games | Paris, France | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 8:53.34 NR |
References
edit- ^ a b "Uganda's Chemutai wins gold as Kenya dominate men's 800m". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
- ^ a b "Chemutai lands surprise steeplechase victory in Tokyo". World Athletics. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
- ^ a b Bakama, James (March 10, 2017). "Know your 2017 IAAF stars: Peruth Chemutai". New Vision. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^ "Chemutai, Chemusto win medals at 5th Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa". Uganda Radio Network. September 9, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^ "Women's 3000 metres steeplechase" (PDF). 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ "Peruth Chemutai". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Women's 3000m Steeplechase - Standings". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Senior women's race" (PDF). 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Athletics-Chemutai secures steeplechase gold for Uganda". Reuters. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
- ^ "3000m Steeplechase Result" (PDF). swisstiming.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ Jess Whittington (6 August 2024). "Yavi breaks Olympic record to win 3000m steeplechase in Paris". World Athletics. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
