Uganda’s hopes at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo have taken a major hit after Olympic gold medallist Jacob Kiplimo confirmed he will not compete, joining compatriot Joshua Cheptegei on the sidelines.

The announcement, made by Athletics Uganda president Dominic Otuchet, comes barely a week after Cheptegei—Uganda’s two-time Olympic champion and reigning 10,000m world titleholder—also ruled himself out of the global showpiece.

“Cheptegei and Kiplimo will miss the 2025 Tokyo World Championships due to personal reasons. We kindly ask that their privacy be respected at this time,” Otuchet told Xinhua. He admitted the federation had tried to persuade the athletes to reconsider but without success.

The absence of Uganda’s two most decorated distance runners is a crushing blow to the nation’s medal prospects. Both had qualified for the 10,000m and marathon events, with Cheptegei poised to defend the world title he won in Budapest.

Cheptegei remains the world record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and still boasts the world best mark over 15km. Kiplimo, meanwhile, has been in fine form, breaking the course record at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon two weeks ago and finishing second on his marathon debut in London earlier this year.

Uganda had entered 22 athletes for the Tokyo championships, but the withdrawal of its star duo leaves the team with a much steeper path to the podium.