It was not an easy race- Chebet says after winning gold medal in women's 10,000 metres in Tokyo

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet has highlighted that mental and physical resilience were key to her gold-medal triumph in the fiercely competitive women’s 10,000m at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.

She clocked a winning time of 30:37.61, securing Kenya’s first track gold of the tournament.

Chebet’s victory was closely contested, with Italy’s Nadia Battocletti claiming silver in a national record of 30:38.23, while Ethiopia’s defending champion Gudaf Tsegay took bronze in 30:39.65.

“I'm so proud of myself. It’s not an easy race. Even today, it was not an easy race. You have to be strong mentally, physically and everything," said Chebet.

She also reflected on the upcoming 5,000m race, noting that she hopes to maintain her health and energy and aims to perform well.

"The 5,000m is coming up in a few days, and I’m hoping to have good health and energy. It's not an easy race, but my goal is to run well, make the podium, and hopefully win gold again," she said.

Chebet, who took last year’s Paris Olympics by storm by winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m titles, was expected to target a world double in Tokyo.

Historically, only two past winners of the women’s 10,000m at the World Championships have completed the double: Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba in 2005 and Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot in 2011.

Cheruiyot was also the last Kenyan woman to claim the 10,000m title, in 2015, making Chebet’s victory a landmark achievement for the nation.

Chebet has also been widely celebrated by Kenyan leaders.

President William Ruto congratulated her, saying, “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!”

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described her final-lap sprint as “breathtaking” and a “truly remarkable achievement that has made our nation proud,” while Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale called her victory a “stellar triumph” and a strong start for Team Kenya.

Chebet dedicated her victory to her coach and thanked her family, Athletics Kenya, and all Kenyans for their support.

Reflecting on her journey, she emphasised perseverance, saying, “What keeps me going is just being stronger again, and I just don’t have to limit myself. I just want to keep pushing every day.”

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