Sibling rivalry fuels Kiprotich and Andiema’s rise in distance running
Motivated by their mentor’s achievements, the two brothers are determined to rise to the same heights and even surpass them.
Daniel Kiprotich Chelogoi (left) and his brother Solomon Andiema (right) celebrate their World Cross Country success.
Daniel Kiprotich Chelogoi and Solomon Andiema are siblings training at the Kipsiro Foundation camp, where they draw inspiration from their coach, Moses Kipsiro, the former Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
Motivated by their mentor’s achievements, the two brothers are determined to rise to the same heights and even surpass them.
The siblings were part of Uganda’s Under-20 men’s team that won silver at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, Florida, USA a result that underlined their growing presence on the international stage.
Kiprotich says Kipsiro has always emphasized discipline and focus, constantly guiding them on what it takes to become better athletes.
“My inspiration comes from Kipsiro. The way he ran when he was an active athlete motivates me a lot. He always tells us to stay focused and train hard to become better athletes. I really appreciate him for his effort,” Kiprotich said.
A specialist in the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m events, Kiprotich has clear ambitions. He hopes to emulate the success of Uganda’s distance-running greats, including Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei and Moses Kipsiro.
Like his brother, Andiema competes in the same long-distance events and shares the same sources of inspiration. His dream is to one day become a world champion, believing that training alongside his brother sharpens his competitive edge.
Running the same races has also fostered constant tactical exchanges between the siblings.
“When we are running, we share tactics on how to do better. If you have seen us run, our positions are most times close,” Andiema explained.
Their closeness was evident at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, where Kiprotich finished seventh while Andiema placed ninth. At the 2025 National Cross Country Championships, Andiema finished third, just ahead of Kiprotich, who came fourth.
Their coach, Moses Kipsiro, is confident the duo has what it takes to become among the best athletes in the future.
“The brothers show all the signs of greatness. They are disciplined and determined, and I believe that if nothing changes, the sky will not be the limit,” Kipsiro said.
With sibling stars such as Jacob Kiplimo, Victor Kiplangat and Oscar Chelimo already shining for Uganda, sibling rivalry is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines to watch in Ugandan athletics.