Beatrice Chebet Bags Kenya's First Gold In World Athletics Championships
Chebet secured victory in the women’s 10,000m race in 30:37.61, ending a 10-year gold medal drought for the East African country in the 10,000m
Marvin Chege 
Beatrice Chebet has handed Kenya its first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
On Saturday, September 13, Chebet secured victory in the women’s 10,000m race in 30:37.61, ending a 10-year gold medal drought for the East African country in the 10,000m during the opening day of the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships.
The last time Kenya clinched gold in the 25-lap race at the global championships was in 2015 in Beijing, China, through Vivian Cheruiyot.
In the race, Italy’s Nadia Battocletti delivered an outstanding performance to take silver, setting a national record of 30:38.23, while Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay claimed bronze in 30:39.65.
Beatrice Chebet at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan on September 13, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE
Team Kenya, led by double Olympic champion Chebet, 10 km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, and African Games champion Janeth Jepng’etich, faced a herculean task as they stepped onto Japan’s National Stadium in pursuit of a fifth title in the event.
Chebet, 24, renowned for her dominance in cross-country and long-distance races, surged ahead in the closing laps to break away from the field and secure a landmark triumph.
The win stands out as a major milestone for Kenya at the championships, boosting the country’s momentum in distance races as the competition progresses.
On Friday, Kenya’s joy at reaching the Mixed 4x400m Relay final was short-lived after the team, anchored by Mary Moraa, was disqualified for a lane infringement, dampening what had looked like a promising start to the championships.
The Kenyan quartet—Brian Tinega, Mercy Adongo, Allan Kipyego, and Moraa—had placed second in Heat 2 with a time of 3:10.73, breaking the African Record and securing automatic qualification for the final. Their performance edged out South Africa’s 3:11.16 set earlier in Heat 1.
Running from lane 6, Tinega handed smoothly to Adongo, who then passed to Kipyego. He closed the gap strongly before passing the baton to world 800m champion Moraa, who powered the team to second place behind Belgium, winners in a season-best 3:10.37.
But just as celebrations began, officials interrupted with news of disqualification under World Athletics Rule TR17.23, which governs lane violations such as stepping outside the designated lines. It was later confirmed that Kipyego had stepped on the inside line during the bend, resulting in Kenya’s disqualification.
The decision meant host nation Japan advanced to the final as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
