Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie has hailed Ugandan athlete and 5000m world record holder, Joshua Cheptegei, as the best and a global superstar. 

Gebrselassie, who himself broke the 5,000m and 10,000m race world records praised Cheptegei after he watched him break his countryman Kenenisa Bekele’s record in Monaco, Spain. 

The legend who has set 27 world records, including a 5,000m time of 12:39.36 in Helsinki in 1998, expressed amazement at the Ugandan runner’s abilities on the track. 

“He is a superstar and simply the best,” said Gebrselassie about Cheptegei in an interview with the Olympic Channel on Twitter. 

He then went ahead to predict Cheptegei’s potential to run an impressive 12:35. 

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“I watched the 5,000m world record in Monaco, and it didn’t look hard (for him) compared to the time I ran the 5,000m. 

“It looks like he can run 12:35 for 5,000m. It’s amazing to see such wonderful athletes in this generation. I don’t know what is going to be the time in the future.” 

Cheptegei ran 12:35:36 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting to break the record in the 5000m race that was set way back in 2004. 

Gebrselassie said the reigning world 10,000m and cross-country champion had the ability to run over the 10km track “sub 26 minutes” on Wednesday. 

“I worry that if they run under 26 minutes it’s going to be difficult for others to break it,” said Gebrselassie about the 24-year-old who has set his eyes on attempting the world record in Valencia.

Here’s the video courtesy of the Olympic Channel: