Faith Kipyegon urges male athletes to step up after dismal Tokyo performance
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 2, 2025Kenya’s athletics heroes were hosted at State House on Thursday, October 2, 2025, following their remarkable showing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Among the highlights of the morning was Faith Kipyegon’s light-hearted but firm message to her fellow male athletes.
Kipyegon, who won gold in the women’s 1500m, praised the Kenyan women for their strong performances and encouraged the men to raise their game.
She also took a moment to thank Kenya’s ambassador to Japan, Moi Lemoshira, for a gesture she said helped Emmanuel Wanyonyi clinch victory in the men’s 800m.
“Let me also take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Ambassador in Tokyo, Moi Lemoshira. Your Excellency, he did an amazing job to look for ugali for Wanyonyi. I do not think tungepata gold medal kama haingekuwa hiyo ugali amalizie finish line tupate ya men pia,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.
She added that while the women delivered six gold medals, the men only managed one, joking that it was time for them to pull up their socks.
Kenya shines in Tokyo
Kenya finished second overall at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo.
The event, held from September 13 to 21 at the Japan National Stadium, saw the team secure seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals. The United States topped the medal table with 12 golds, while Canada, the Netherlands and Spain completed the top five.
Kenya’s dominance was once again in middle and long-distance running. Beatrice Chebet was one of the standout performers, completing a rare double in the women’s 10,000m and 5,000m. Faith Kipyegon confirmed her status as a legend of the sport by taking the women’s 1500m title, with Dorcus Ewoi winning silver to seal a Kenyan 1-2 finish.
In the women’s marathon, Peres Jepchirchir triumphed in a dramatic finish against Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa. Faith Cherotich added to the tally with gold in the 3000m steeplechase, while Lilian Odira stunned the field in the women’s 800m. Odira clocked 1:54.62, setting a championship record and upsetting Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson.
Wanyonyi delivers for the men
On the men’s side, the biggest moment came from Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the 800m. Running 1:41.86, he surged to gold and gave Kenya its seventh and final top prize of the championships.
His success was much celebrated, particularly as it balanced the women’s extraordinary medal haul with at least one men’s victory. Reynold Cheruiyot and Edmund Serem also added bronze medals in the men’s 1500m and 3000m steeplechase, respectively.