These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020

By CNN staff

Updated 6:13 AM ET, Thu August 12, 2021

<strong>Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya: </strong>The 36-year-old marathoner is considered among the "<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/08/sport/eliud-kipchoge-olympic-marathon-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">greatest of all time</a>," and Kipchoge showed it once again at the Tokyo Olympics, winning gold in the men's marathon. That's back-to-back wins for the Kenyan superstar, making him only the third man ever to defend his gold medal in this event.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya: The 36-year-old marathoner is considered among the "greatest of all time," and Kipchoge showed it once again at the Tokyo Olympics, winning gold in the men's marathon. That's back-to-back wins for the Kenyan superstar, making him only the third man ever to defend his gold medal in this event.
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<strong>Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya:</strong> Kipchoge's fellow Kenyan took gold in the women's marathon with a time of <a href="https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/athletics/result-women-s-marathon-fnl-000100-.htm" target="_blank">2:27:20</a>, just ahead of teammate and world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, who took the silver medal.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya: Kipchoge's fellow Kenyan took gold in the women's marathon with a time of 2:27:20, just ahead of teammate and world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, who took the silver medal.
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<strong>Peruth Chemutai, Uganda: </strong>On the track inside Tokyo's National Stadium, Chemutai entered the record books for Uganda in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase by becoming the first woman to win gold for her country in any sport.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Peruth Chemutai, Uganda: On the track inside Tokyo's National Stadium, Chemutai entered the record books for Uganda in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase by becoming the first woman to win gold for her country in any sport.
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<strong>Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda:</strong> More history for Uganda came from world record-holder Cheptegei, who won gold in the men's 5,000m and silver in the men's 10,000m -- becoming the first Ugandan to win two Olympic medals at the same Games.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda: More history for Uganda came from world record-holder Cheptegei, who won gold in the men's 5,000m and silver in the men's 10,000m -- becoming the first Ugandan to win two Olympic medals at the same Games.
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<strong>Feryal Abdelaziz, Egypt: </strong>In the women's +61kg karate kumite event, which made its debut at Tokyo 2020, Abdelaziz (left) became the first woman from Egypt to win a gold medal for her country.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Feryal Abdelaziz, Egypt: In the women's +61kg karate kumite event, which made its debut at Tokyo 2020, Abdelaziz (left) became the first woman from Egypt to win a gold medal for her country.
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<strong>Faith Kipyegon, Kenya:</strong> Kenya celebrated more record-breaking success on the track when Kipyegon defended her gold medal in the women's 1,500m, setting a new Olympic record in the process.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Faith Kipyegon, Kenya: Kenya celebrated more record-breaking success on the track when Kipyegon defended her gold medal in the women's 1,500m, setting a new Olympic record in the process.
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<strong>Uche Eke, Nigeria: </strong>The young athlete became the <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/27/sport/uche-eke-nigeria-olympics-spc-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">first</a> gymnast to qualify and compete for Nigeria at the Olympics.
Photos: These African athletes made history at Tokyo 2020
Uche Eke, Nigeria: The young athlete became the first gymnast to qualify and compete for Nigeria at the Olympics.
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