Africa’s top athletes take centre stage at Tokyo 2025 Championships

Faith Kipyegon celebrates after winning the 1500m gold in Paris (C) Kelly Ayodi for Olympics Kenya

By Erick Kariuki
Friday, September 12, 2025

More than 2,000 athletes from nearly 200 nations are competing for 147 medals across 49 events, transforming Tokyo’s National Stadium into the epicenter of global athletics.

Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships kick off with African stars in the spotlight

The World Athletics Championships return to Tokyo with record chases, historic ambitions, and sweltering heat defining the opening day.

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More than 2,000 athletes from nearly 200 nations are competing for 147 medals across 49 events, transforming Tokyo’s National Stadium into the epicenter of global athletics.

African athletes are at the heart of the action. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the 1500m world record holder, begins her quest to defend both the 1500m and 5000m titles a feat never achieved at multiple World Championships.

She will open her campaign in the 1500m heats alongside compatriots Dorcus Ewoi, Nelly Chepchirchir, and Susan Ejore. Beatrice Chebet, the 5000m world record holder, headlines the women’s 10,000m final with teammates Agnes Ngetich and Janeth Chepngetich.

Their biggest challenge comes from Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti.

Sprinters also take center stage. Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, lines up in the men’s 100m heats against stars such as Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, Letsile Tebogo, and Akani Simbine.

Tebogo, Botswana’s 22-year-old Olympic champion, is tipped as one of the breakout names of the meet. The morning session opens with the men’s 35km race walk at 1:30 a.m. EAT, followed by field qualifiers and the mixed 4x400m relay heats.

Kenya’s steeplechase trio, Edmund Serem, Abraham Kibiwott, and Simon Kiprop Koech are also in action. Serem faces Japan’s Ryuji Miura in heat one, Kibiwott meets America’s Kenneth Rooks in heat two, while Koech takes on world record holder Lamecha Girma and defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali in heat three.

Tokyo’s record-breaking summer heat, the hottest since 1898, has forced organizers to adjust start times of all road events, including marathons and race walks, to early mornings.

With temperatures above 30°C and “feels-like” highs nearing 40°C, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized that athlete welfare remains the top priority.

Beyond African talent, global stars are chasing history. Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, fresh off his 6.29m pole vault record, is eyeing yet another mark.

Norway’s Karsten Warholm and America’s Rai Benjamin are set for a 400m hurdles showdown, while the women’s 100m features Olympic champion Julien Alfred, world leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in her final championship.