After two consecutive world championships without the top prize, Chebet seized her opportunity. At Japan National Stadium on 13/9, the Kenyan runner controlled the 25-lap race, then launched a decisive final-lap sprint to win with a time of 30 minutes 37.61 seconds.

Beatrice Chebet celebrates after winning the women's 10,000 meters gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on 13/9/2025. Photo: AP

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chebet won gold in 30 minutes 43.25 seconds. She also holds the world record of 28 minutes 54.14 seconds, set at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in 5/2024.

"This is a dream come true," an emotional Chebet shared after making history. "I told myself I was only missing the world championship gold, and now I have it. I just want to thank everyone who has always supported me."

Chebet will next target the 5,000m, aiming to become the first athlete to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m at a single world championship since Mo Farah in 2015.

Beatrice Chebet wins 10,000m gold at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships.

At a packed Japan National Stadium yesterday, Chebet and her compatriot Agnes Ngetich set the pace from the start. Home favorite Ririka Hironaka briefly surged ahead to the cheers of the crowd, but gradually fell back as the leading group increased the speed.

By the halfway point, five runners—Chebet, Ngetich, Nadia Battocletti, Gudaf Tsegay, and Ejgayehu Taye—broke away to form the medal-contending group.

The last three laps saw a tense chase. Tsegay made her move to take the lead, but Chebet stayed close. With 400 meters remaining, the crowd roared as the lead pack dwindled to four. In the final half-lap, Chebet unleashed her trademark burst of speed, overtaking Tsegay and steadily extending her lead down the final straight for a convincing victory.

Battocletti (Italy) took silver with a national record of 30 minutes 38.23 seconds. Defending champion Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) could not retain her title, finishing third in 30 minutes 39.65 seconds.

Evan Dunfee celebrates as he prepares to finish first in the men's 35km race walk. Photo: World Athletics

The 2025 World Athletics Championships Tokyo will take place from 13/9 to 21/9 at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. This is the third time Japan has hosted the event, following Tokyo 1991 and Osaka 2007. This year's championships have attracted over 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries and territories, competing in 49 events.

The first day of competition, 13/9, saw medals awarded in five events. In the men's 35km race walk, Evan Dunfee (Canada) won gold with a time of 2 hours 28 minutes 22 seconds, his first world title. Caio Bonfim (Brazil) took silver, while Hayato Katsuki (Japan) won bronze, securing the first medal for the host nation.

In the women's 35km race walk, Maria Perez (Spain) defended her title in 2 hours 39 minutes 1 second. Antonella Palmisano (Italy) won silver, and Paula Torres (Ecuador) set a national record to claim bronze.

In the mixed 4x400m relay, the US team retained its world number one position, finishing first in 3 minutes 8.80 seconds, equaling the championship record. The Netherlands took silver thanks to an impressive final leg by Femke Bol, while Belgium won bronze.

In the men's shot put, Ryan Crouser (US) made an impressive return from injury, winning gold with a throw of 22.34m, his third world title. Uziel Munoz (Mexico) set a national record of 21.97m to take silver, while Leonardo Fabbri (Italy) won bronze.

Compiled by Hong Duy