KAMPALA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo has expressed his determination to defend his title at the upcoming World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Kiplimo won gold in the senior men's category at the previous tournament at Bathurst, Australia in 2023. The Ugandan runner told Xinhua on Wednesday that he is determined to do it again.

"I know everyone will be all out to try and win the gold this time, but I am very determined to win a second straight gold medal. I know it will not be that easy because I know other athletes have also been working hard ahead of these Championships," he admitted.

The long-distance runner, who claimed bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and two golds at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, said that he expects a very tough race this time. "As an athlete and a team, we have prepared well and we also want to go and win gold in the team event," he added.

Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei, the current 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder, will be another star to watch in the event. Fresh from finishing second in the Laredo 10km run in Spain a few weeks ago, Cheptegei said he feels in good shape to be able to perform well together with his team in Serbia.

"We have a balanced and experienced team that has been training hard ahead of these Championships," said Ugandan team coach Benjamin Njia.

Uganda, whose men's and women's senior teams both finished third at the previous tournament, will face stiff competition from Kenya and Ethiopia. Enditem

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