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Akampa (middle) being congraturated by leader of Uganda delegation Penninah Kabenge and another official after coming top of the male's long course event
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Sports Desk
Promising long-distance runner Seth Akampa has pitched camp in Kabale for intensive training ahead of the World University Games, scheduled to take place from July 21 to 27 in Berlin, Germany.
Akampa, who recently completed his final exams for a Bachelor of Laws degree at Bishop Stuart University (BSU), has joined fellow athletes at the Kigezi High Altitude Athletics Club (KHAAC) in Nyabushabi, Kabale to begin serious preparations.
“I’m here because I want to fully prepare myself for the World Games. I know it won’t be an easy task to defend my title, so I have to work extremely hard. But with dedication and, of course, God, I believe I will make it,” said Akampa.
Akampa pauses with his two gold medals and a trophy that BSU men's team won for finishing 3rd overall in athletics
His coach, Gordon Ahimbisibwe, is confident that Akampa will deliver a podium finish in Berlin.
“I am very sure Akampa will bring home a medal from Berlin. His progress in training has been very encouraging,” Ahimbisibwe stated.
Akampa has steadily risen to prominence in university athletics since he claimed silver medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the East Africa University Games held in Ndejje, Uganda, in 2022.
He later won his first national gold medal in the 10,000m and silver in the 5,000m at the National University Games hosted by Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2023.
His momentum continued last year when he clinched gold in the World University Cross Country Championships in Muscat, Oman, followed by a double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the East Africa University Games in Kisumu, Kenya.
Seth Akampa (in yellow) during training
Earlier this year, Akampa competed in the 10,000m at the Uganda Athletics Federation National Trials held at Namboole, where he posted his season’s best time of 29:01.8 minutes, finishing second behind Abel Chebet.
This performance earned him an automatic spot on Team Uganda for the World University Games in Germany, where he is expected to compete in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and defend his cross country gold.
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