Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir has earned Kenya her second gold medal, winning the women’s marathon at the ongoing World Athletics Championships Games in Tokyo this Sunday, September 14, 2025.

The Olympic champions weathered a strong challenge from Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia to stop the clock at 2:24:43, with Assefa coming in two seconds late on 2:24:45.

Julia Paternain from Uruguay came in a surprise third with an impressive time of 2:27:23.

Following a subdued performance at the start, Jepchirchir and Assefa, the world record holder, pulled clear of the pack with around 15 kilometres left.

Thrilling match-up

The pair went to trade the lead multiple times in the last 400m as the race panned out to be a tight affair between the two African heavyweights in long-distance racing.

A dramatic last-minute sprint, however, saw Jepchirchir outkick her challenger down the finish straight to cut the tape for Kenya’s second gold medal.

The feat added to her Olympic gold, which she won four years ago during the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon in Sapporo, which had been moved from Tokyo over heat concerns.

Her triumph adds to Kenya’s first gold medal that was secured in the 10,000 m race by Beatrice Chebet on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

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.

Another Kenyan, Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, finished just outside the medals in fourth, clocking 30:42.66.

Her win added to her Olympic title and world record as the Kenyan nation came abuzz by her exploits.

President William Ruto was among the first to praise Chebet’s performance and described her as a source of pride for the country.

“Congratulations, Beatrice Chebet, for winning Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships in the women’s 10,000 metres. You have not only made us proud but also set the pace for Team Kenya in the tournament. Let’s keep the winning spirit alive, Team Kenya!” he wrote.