World champions Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet are expected to light up the women’s 5000m final at the ongoing 2025 World Championships on Saturday afternoon, September 20, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.

The two qualified for the final from their heats on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich joining them, while they will also have to deal with the challenge of Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay.

The Olympic gold medallist, Beatrice Chebet, was the first to qualify for the final after winning in Heat 1 effortlessly with 14:45.59 ahead of Italian Nadia Battocletti, who clocked 14:46.36, for second place, while American Shelby Houlihan completed the podium in 14:56.42.

On the other hand, Faith Kipyegon qualified from Heat 2 after second place in a season’s best 14:56.71 behind Tsegay, who won it in 14:56.46. Australian Rose Davies clocked 14:56.83 for third place with Jebet Ngetich sealing the final qualification ticket after eighth place in the heat in a time of 14:57.90.

Speaking after her recent victory in the 1500m, Faith Kipyegon said her dream in every competition is to try to defend her titles, if not set new records. Her sentiments came at a time when her dream of winning a double at the World Championships looked alive.

Kipyegon and Chebet rule Tokyo

“First, I want to really thank God, this has always been my dream, to defend my 1500m title for the fourth time. Everyone out there was so talented, I knew I had to dig deeper than ever. Crossing that line and realising I had won again was truly special. But what made it even greater was seeing my teammates right there, too, gold and silver for Kenya. Such a proud moment for all of us,” Kipyegon said on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Beatrice Chebet will be heading into the final after winning Kenya’s first gold in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 30:37.61.  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. That victory added to her Olympic title and world record, giving her a rare triple achievement in distance running.