Youngster Cherop earns Uganda 13th medal at 6th Islamic Solidarity Games

2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (5000m men’s finals)
• Gold: Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim (Djibouti) – 13:46:12
• Silver: Birhanu Balew (Bahrain) – 13:46:26
• Bronze: Samuel Simba Cherop (Uganda) – 13:46:45
Samuel Simba Cherop worked out for his second medal at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
Cherop, a silver medalist in the 10,000m race, earned bronze during the women 5,000m finals at the state-of-art Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Stadium in Riyadh.
The 18-year-old clocked 13 minutes, 46 seconds and 45 micro-seconds to finish third for the bronze.
“I am excited to win my second medal. The race was tough but I gave my level best. I dedicate these medals to the people back home in Kapchorwa, my coaches and training mates. Thank you all. I also say thank you to Uganda Athletics, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the National Council of Sports (NCS) for facilitating us” he spoke in his native Sebei language.
Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew (13:46:26), winner of the 10,000m this time settled for silver in the 5000m as Djibouti’s Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim powered his way to victory with time of 13 minutes, 46 seconds and 12 micro-seconds.
This was Uganda’s 13th medal at the games organized by the Islamic Sports Solidarity Association (ISSA), the 7th by athletics alone.
The games climax on Friday with Wrestling and Para-Powerlifting.
Rodger Kizza Mukyeda (Manana) will be the last Wrestler after Veronica Ayo and Rebecca Israel Amongi’s bouts.
Dennis Mbaziira will participate in Para-Powerlifting competition (heavyweight category) at the Boulevard 01B Sports Arena.
There will be an official closing ceremony at the Jenadriyah Camel Racing Track.
At 13 medals in total, this is by far Uganda’s outstanding performance in the 6 editions of the Islamic Solidarity Games since inception in 2005.