Like a master sculptor at work, Chebet displayed profound athletics skill, employing searing pace to burn her opponents before going for the kill 200m from the finish line to win the final of women’s 10,000m race in 30 minutes and 37.61 seconds.
The 25-year-old who also holds Olympic titles in women’s 5,000m and 10,000m races, showed why she is one of the finest middle distance runners of her generation by toying with defending champion Gudaf Tsegay from Ethiopia to win in 30 minutes and 37.61 seconds.
Afterwards, Chebet spoke of her unfinished business on the track at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Beatrice Chebet celebrates with her medal and national flag after winning gold in the 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on September 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Aleksandra Szmigiel | Reuters
“I came here to look for world medals. I told myself ‘I have won Olympics titles, now I need to give my fans something to celebrate about by winning the world title, and I am happy that things have gone according to the plan. The 5,000m race will be held a few days to come, and I there is a lot to be done. I thank our coach and everyone for the support they have shown me,” Chebet said after winning the race.
Chebet dropped defending champion Tsegay with 200m to go, and she maintained the pace to recapture the decades-long world title.
Paris Olympics silver medallist, Nadia Battocletti from Italy, again settled for silver in 30:38.23 as Tsegay claimed bronze in 30:39.65.
Chebet becomes the fourth Kenyan to win the world 10,000m title after Sally Barsosio (1997), Linet Masai (2009) and Cheruiyot (2011, 2015).
Chebet is well on course to becoming the first woman in history to hold both the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m titles together with the world 10,000m and 5,000m crowns.
The women’s 5,000m final will be held next Saturday and she is the odds on favourite to clinch the gold medal.
Kenya's Beatrice Chebet crosses the line to win the Women's 10,000m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on September 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Sarah Meyssonnier | Reuters
Chebet is also the world record holder over the two distances and is poised to stand at the summit of world athletics as perhaps the greatest female long distance runner of all time with her staggering array of honours.
