Beatrice Chebet wins 10,000m world title in Tokyo
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 13, 2025Beatrice Chebet delivered Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, winning the women’s 10,000m final on Saturday, September 13. The Olympic champion stormed home in 30:37.61, adding the world title to her Olympic crown and world record.
The 25-year-old stayed close to the leaders as the race unfolded. With one lap to go, she tracked Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who had forced the pace. Chebet bided her time and then kicked hard on the final bend. Her surge down the home straight was decisive, opening a gap her rivals could not close.
Battocletti took silver in 30:38.23, setting an Italian record and securing her country’s first medal in this event at a World Championships. Tsegay claimed bronze in 30:39.65. Agnes Jebet Ngetich of Kenya finished just outside the medals in fourth, clocking 30:42.66.
The win ended Kenya’s ten-year wait for gold in the women’s 10,000m at the World Championships. Vivian Cheruiyot was the last to strike gold in Beijing in 2015. Chebet’s success also means she now holds the Olympic title, the world record, and the world crown, a rare achievement in distance running.
Omanyala, 1500m team progress
On the same day, Ferdinand Omanyala kept Kenya’s sprint hopes alive by qualifying for the men’s 100m semi-finals. The African record holder clocked 10.12 seconds to finish third in his heat, sealing automatic qualification. South Africa’s Akani Simbine won the race in 10.02, while Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu crossed second in 10.09.
It was a strong showing for African sprinters, with all three securing direct qualification. The Netherlands’ Elvis Afrifa also progressed as a time qualifier after finishing fourth in 10.15. World silver medallist Letsile Tebogo of Botswana underlined his form by winning his heat comfortably, while leading gold medal hopefuls Kishane Thompson, Noah Lyles, and Oblique Seville also advanced.
Kenya’s women’s 1500m team added to the good news. Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Susan Ejore, and debutant Dorcus Ewoi all booked their places in the semi-finals. Kipyegon, the world and Olympic champion, controlled her race to win in 4:02.55. Chepchirchir and Ejore also topped their heats, while Ewoi impressed with a strong fourth-place finish in her debut.