It was a dream come true for African Games 10,000 metres champion Janeth Chepng’etich as she won the women’s 10,000m race to earn a ticket for her maiden World Athletics Championships.
Chepng’etich won at the Kenyan trials at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata in Nairobi in 30 minutes and 27.02 seconds to qualify alongside the 5km and 10km world records holder Agnes Ng’etich and double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet.
Chepng’etich atoned for missing out in the 5,000m selection at Prefonantaine Classic a few weeks ago that acted as Kenya’s trials with Chebet winning and Ng’etich finishing second to book their slots.
“The trio sealed the places in 10,000m at the world event,” Athletics Kenya head coach Julius Kirwa confirmed.
Chebet, the Olympic 10,000m and 5,000m champion and Ng’etich will now be doubling up in 10,000m and 5,000m at the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
The 2022 World Under-20 champion Reynold Kipkorir (left) wins the men's 1,500m in a photo-finish at the Kenyan trials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi on July 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Photo | Nation Media Group
Chebet, who claimed silver at the 2022 Oregon and bronze at 2023 Budapest world championships, will be making her third appearance at the global event while Ng’etich makes her second return after finishing sixth in 10,000m at 2023 Budapest.
Chebet, Ng’etich, Margaret Akidor and Faith Kipyegon, who is the reigning world 5,000m champion, will team up in 5,000m in Tokyo, where Kipyegon will be eying her fourth world 1,500m crown.
“Winning today has given me confidence to continue striving for the best because I had the privilege of competing with the world record holders,” said the 26-year-old Chepng’etich. “We are going back to fine-tune our training and personally, I need to work on my speed as we head to the championships,” said Chepng’etich, who trains in Keringet, Nakuru County.
Ng’etich said it was her wish to make the team again after she missed out on Paris Olympic Games last year because of injury. “I am in good shape this year and if we run as a team we are going to bag medals for our country,” said Ng’etich, the 2023 world cross country bronze medallist.
Chebet said her 10,000m world record last year of 28:54.14 and her 5,000m world record of 13:58.06 this year has inspired her to continue working hard as she targets her maiden world titles.
“I want to replicate the Paris Olympics performance in Tokyo and make history as the first woman to hold both 10,000m and 5,000m Olympic and world titles as well as world records over the distances,” said Chebet.
Vivian Cheruiyot is the last Kenyan to win the world 10,000m title during the 2015 Beijing edition. “We have strong teams in the two events and all we need is good calculations during the race and we shall be able to bring medals home,” said Chebet.
