Kenya’s 5,000 metres World Record holder Beatrice Chebet has delivered Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Chebet stormed to victory in the women’s 10,000 metres with a time of 30:37.61. Her win ends a nearly decade-long wait for Kenya in this event. The last time a Kenyan woman claimed the 10,000m world title was in 2015, when Vivian Cheruiyot won gold in Beijing.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti put up a remarkable fight to claim the silver medal in a national record time of 30:38.23, while Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay secured bronze with 30:39.65.
The 24-year-old Chebet, known for her strength in cross-country and long-distance track events, made her move in the final laps to pull away from the pack and seal a historic win.
Her victory marks a significant moment for Kenya at the championships, as the nation looks to build momentum in distance events through the rest of the competition.
Millions Beatrice Chebet will receive
Chebet is set to receive $70,000 (Ksh9 million) in prize money for her gold medal, as part of the World Athletics Championships’ total prize pool of $8.5 million (Ksh1.098 billion) allocated to top finishers across individual and relay events.
She is also set to receive Ksh3 million from the government after President William Ruto, when flagging off athletes representing Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, announced that the government enhanced the reward scheme for athletes who win medals at global competitions.
President Ruto said gold medal winners in athletics will now receive Ksh3 million, up from Ksh750,000. Silver medallists, on the other hand, will earn Ksh2 million, an increase from Ksh500,000, while bronze medallists will receive Ksh1 million, up from Sh350,000.
The Head of State also said that the government has increased daily allowances of athletes from $60 (Ksh7,800) to $200 (Ksh26,000) for athletes, and from $80 (Ksh10,337) to $300 (Ksh38,767) for officials representing the country abroad.
“We have also enhanced rewards for winners in the Commonwealth Games. The new package raises cash awards for gold medal winners from KSh500,000 to Ksh2.5 million, Ksh300,000 to Ksh1.5 million for silver, and Ksh200,000 to Ksh1 million for bronze,” he said. “The Ministry of Sports is going to review other packages to make sure that we encourage the sporting spirit in Kenya.”
Omanyala, Kipyegon lead strong Kenyan start at World Athletics Championships
Kenya’s campaign at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo continues to build momentum, with several athletes advancing to the next rounds in their respective events.
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Ferdinand Omanyala secured a spot in the men’s 100m semi-finals after clocking 10.12 seconds to finish third in Heat 7. The sprint star looked composed as he crossed the line, doing just enough to book his place in the next round.
In the women’s 1500m, Kenya will be well-represented in the semi-finals after a dominant showing in the heats. World Record holder Faith Kipyegon, alongside Nelly Chepchirchir, Dorcus Ewoi, and Susan Ejore, all advanced comfortably.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Edmund Serem delivered a commanding performance in Round 1, clocking 8:29.97 to qualify for the final.
Kenya disqualified in mixed 4X400m relay
On Friday, Kenya’s celebrations for storming into the mixed 4x400m relay final were cut short after the quartet anchored by Mary Moraa was disqualified for lane infringement, casting a shadow over what had seemed a strong start to the championships.
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The Kenyan team—comprising Brian Tinega, Mercy Adongo, Allan Kipyego, and Moraa—had finished second in Heat 2 with a time of 3:10.73, setting a new African Record and earning an automatic qualification spot for the final. Their time had just eclipsed South Africa’s 3:11.16, recorded moments earlier in Heat 1.
Kenya had started strongly in lane 6, with Tinega handing off cleanly to Adongo, who passed the baton to Kipyego. He closed the gap impressively before handing over to world 800m champion Mary Moraa, who anchored the team to a second-place finish behind Belgium, which won the heat in a season’s best of 3:10.37.
However, the celebrations were abruptly cut short when officials informed the Kenyan athletes—mid-interview—that they had been disqualified under World Athletics Rule TR17.23. The rule pertains to lane infringements, including stepping over the line completely or multiple infringements during races run in lanes.
It was later confirmed that Kipyego had stepped over the inside line at the bend, leading to direct disqualification. As a result, host nation Japan was elevated into the final as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
Note: 1$=Ksh129.22
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