Beatrice Chebet kicked off Kenya’s World Championships campaign in Tokyo with a stunning gold in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 30:37.61 to clinch her first world title.
The double Olympic champion and world record holder over both 5,000m and 10,000m held off Italy’s Nadia Battocletti (30:38.23) and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay (30:39.65), while compatriot Agnes Ngetich settled for fourth.
“I’m so proud to be a world champion,” said Chebet. “It wasn’t easy — I had to be strong in every way.”
After winning bronze in the 5,000m at Budapest 2023, Chebet now eyes a medal in that event again, pending recovery.
Mixed Relay Disqualified After Record Run
Kenya’s 4x400m mixed relay team was disqualified despite clocking 3:10.73 in their heat—an African record time—due to a lane infringement by Brian Tinega.
The quartet had finished second behind Belgium and appeared headed to the final before the ruling.
The disqualification ends the campaign for a team that had medalled at the World Relays earlier this year.
Steeplechase Final Beckons for Serem and Kibiwot
World U-20 champion Edmund Serem and Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot qualified for the 3,000m steeplechase final. Serem won his heat in 8:29.97, while Kibiwot squeezed through in fifth (8:27.84). Simon Koech failed to advance.
Clean Sweep in Women’s 1,500m Heats
All four Kenyan women advanced to the 1,500m semi-finals. Faith Kipyegon (4:02.55), Nelly Chepchirchir (4:07.01), Susan Ejore (4:01.99), and Dorcas Ewoi (4:04.40) delivered strong performances to keep medal hopes alive.
Omanyala Advances in Men’s 100m
Ferdinand Omanyala reached the men’s 100m semi-finals after finishing third in his heat in 10.12 seconds. He remains one of Africa’s top hopes in the sprint event.
