Premium
Tanzania’s Simbu wins marathon gold in rare photo finish, Kenyans wilt
Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Simbu (left) crosses the finish line to win the men's marathon final ahead of second placed Germany's Amanal Petros at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 15, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Simbu becomes the first athlete from Tanzania to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships or at the Olympic Games.
- The photo finish credited them with the same time, but Simbu pushed his torso past the finish line, earning him the gold medal.
A day after Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir had upstaged Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in a thrilling homestretch sprint to win gold medal in women’s marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tanzania’s Alphonse Simbu treated fans to hair-raising moments as he beat Germany’s Amanal Petros to gold medal by three hundredths of a second.
It was the closest finish to a marathon race in the history of the World Athletics Championships, as both Simbu and Petros were credited the same finish time of 2 hours, four minutes and 58 seconds. Simbu, 32, becomes the first athlete from Tanzania to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships or at the Olympic Games.
Tanzania’s Alphonse Simbu and Germany’s Amanal Petros in a photo finish in men’s 42km race of the 2025 World Athletics Championships at Tokyo National Stadium on September 15, 2025.
Italy’s Iliass Aouani timed 2:09:53 to take bronze medal.
Simbu, Aouani and Petros were in the leading pack with two kilometres to go, and as the trio returned to the finish at Tokyo National Stadium. The three went neck and neck as they passed the stadium gates and stepped onto the red tartan track inside the stadium. At 300m to the finish line, Aouani led, followed by Petros and Sambu.
But Petros shot to the front with 50m to go, and Sambu reacted immediately as Aouani dropped to third. For five seconds, Sambu and Petros went neck and neck in a sprint finish, which ended with Petros dipping at the finish. The photo finish credited them with the same time, but Simbu pushed his torso past the finish line, earning him the gold medal.
Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Simbu celebrates winning the gold medal the men's marathon final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 15, 2025.
“Winning here is dream come true. No Tanzanian has won a gold medal at the world championships. In 2017, I finished third in men’s marathon. I have tried winning elsewhere, but it has all been in vain. When we returned to the stadium, Petros tried to open a gap on us, but I told myself I would fight to the end, which I did,” Simbu, who trains in Arusha, This medal belongs said afterwards.
Meanwhile, Kenyan athletes had a day to forget. Kennedy Kimutai clocked 2:11:45 to finish 16th while Vincent Ng’etich (2:13:38) finished 22nd.
Marathon gold medallist Alphonce Felix Simbu (centre) of Tanzania celebrates on the podium along with silver medallist Amanal Petros (left) of Germany and bronze medallist Iliass Aouani of Italy during the medal ceremony at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 15, 2025
The going proved tough for defending champion Victor Kiplangat from Uganda, who timed 2:11:33 to finish 15th, while his compatriot Abel Chelangat timed 2:10:11 for fifth place. Uganda’s Steven Kisa and Solomon Mutai did not finish the race.
Simbu, who claimed silver at the 2025 Boston Marathon, dedicated his trophy to his fans.
"This medal is dedicated to all Tanzanians. Today has been a day of history. I lack words to describe the joy in my heart," Simbu said.
