Ugandan steeplechase runner Peruth Chemutai has won Uganda’s first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 olympics, The Tower Post reports.

Chemutai outstripped the field to win the women’s Olympic 3000m steeplechase held on Wednesday afternoon.

The 22-year-old Ugandan timed 9min 01.45sec at the Olympic Stadium, outsprinting American Courtney Frerichs with 250 metres to go to win comfortably.

Frerichs claimed silver in 9:04.79 with Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng taking bronze (9:05.39).

This becomes Uganda’s first gold medal from the Tokyo 2020 olympics and the third overall medal following silver and bronze which were won by Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo in the men’s 10,000m race.

Chemutai sets a national record as the first Ugandan woman to win an Olympic event and the third overall following John Akibua who won 400m hurdles and Stephen who won a marathon.