KAMPALA, Nov. 2 -- Top Ugandan athlete and 2017 Olympic gold medal winner Stephen Kiprotich is all set for the 2017 Fukuoka Marathon slated for Dec. 3 in Japan.

Kiprotich told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday that after pulling out of two marathons, he is ready to compete in Japan.

He said running in Fukuoka will prepare him for the Tokyo marathon early next year and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

"It will be a tough challenge running against last year's winner Tsegay Yemane from Ethiopia and other runners from Eritrea and Kenya," the Olympic star said as he headed to his training camp in Kaptagat, in neighboring Kenya.

The Fukuoka International Open Marathon Championship held in Fukuoka, Japan, is an IAAF Gold Label international men's marathon race established in 1947.

【体坛英语资讯：Ugandas Olympic star gears up for 2017 Fukuoka Marathon】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Collins wont face charges in death

★ 体坛英语资讯：Female Yao a head above the rest

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pairs skaters challenged by system

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Sarkozys wife hailed as Frances Diana

★ 体坛英语资讯：McLarens Kovalainen still in hospital after crash

★ 体坛英语资讯：England job will be my last - excited Capello

★ 体坛英语资讯：Gatlin hires Landis lawyer to fight ban

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Frances first lady also first in record sales

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Britney Spears wins more time with sons

★ 体坛英语资讯：China sweeps womens top three at Xiamen marathon