Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet launched Kenya’s medal campaign in spectacular fashion, winning the 10,000m world title at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Chebet, who entered the race as the favorite, teamed up seamlessly with compatriot Agnes Ngetich to end Kenya’s decade-long wait for gold in the event.
Her triumph places her among elite company, becoming the fifth Kenyan woman to win the 10,000m world title after Sally Barsosio (1997), Linet Chepkwemoi Masai (2009), and Vivian Cheruiyot (2011 and 2015).
Defending champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia was left stunned after being tactically outmanoeuvred by the Kenyan pair, who controlled the pace through to the 9,200m mark. In a desperate late surge, Tsegay attempted to break away, but Chebet responded with a powerful kick in the final 200m, sprinting to victory in 30:37.61.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, the Olympic silver medallist, stayed with the lead group and was rewarded with another silver, clocking a new national record of 30:38.23.
Tsegay settled for bronze in 30:39.65, her season’s best, but left visibly disappointed after also missing the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ngetich narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth in 30:42.66, while Janeth Chepng’etich, the third Kenyan in the race, did not finish.
Chebet later hinted at a future move to the marathon, potentially after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying her focus had been on claiming her first world title.
Mixed 4x400m Relay: Kenya Disqualified
Kenya’s hopes in the mixed 4x400m relay were dashed after the team was disqualified for a lane infringement. The disqualification came as South Africa set a new African record of 3:11.16 in the first heat. Hosts Japan also advanced after clocking a national record of 3:12.08, improving from their previous best of 3:15.71.
Team Kenya head coach Julius Kirwa urged fans to stay optimistic, emphasizing that more medal opportunities lie ahead in the coming events.
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Heats: Kibiwott, Serem Through
Paris Olympics bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott and World U20 champion Edmund Serem both advanced to the final of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, scheduled for Monday, September 15. However, Simon Koech failed to qualify after a disappointing heat performance.
Women’s 1500m Heats: Kipyegon Leads Kenyan Quartet into Semis
Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon comfortably advanced to the 1500m semi-finals, joined by Dorcas Ewoi, Susan Ejore, and Nelly Chepchirchir. The defending world champion is eyeing her fifth global title in the same stadium where she won Olympic gold in 2021.
“It wasn’t too easy today—it’s a little hot,” Kipyegon said after the race. “But this track is lucky for me. I hope to take another gold home. I know Japan, and the world, are cheering. It will be a great race.”
Men’s 100m Heats: Omanyala Faces Tough Path to Final
Two-time Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala will race in Heat 2 of the men’s 100m semi-finals at 14:52 EAT, as he aims for his first-ever World Championships final. Omanyala finished third in his preliminary heat with a time of 10.12 seconds.
South Africa’s Akani Simbine, an Olympic 4x100m silver medallist, won the heat in 10.20, with Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu second in 10.09.
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