Kenya Sets New Record at World Championships
Kenyan women swept all middle and long distances between 800m and marathon, taking three championship records and three titles in Budapest won in 2023
Despite Kenya's record-breaking, the United States retained the overall championship with 26 medals (16 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze). Photo/ KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Record-Breaking Performance in Tokyo
Kenya broke its own record for the nation’s athletics history with its greatest-ever performance at the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. The nation, which had a strong delegation of 58 athletes participating in track, field, and marathon competitions, claimed a combined total of 11 medals – 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.
This win surpassed Kenya’s record-breaking performance at the 2015 Beijing Games, when the country surprised the world to top the medal count for the first time in history with 5 gold medals. The Tokyo 2025 event largely consolidated Kenya’s dominance in middle- and long-distance running.
Chebet Makes History
Beatrice Chebet was among the bright stars of the championship. Double gold in both the 5000m and the 10,000m matched Vivian Cheruiyot’s feat of 2011. Otherwise, Chebet was the first woman to be Olympic and World champion in these two distances at the same time and only the second athlete in the world after Britain’s Mo Farah to win the Holy Grail double.
Women’s Team Dominance
Kenyan women swept all middle and long distances between 800m and marathon, taking three championship records and three titles in Budapest won in 2023.
Faith Kipyegon confirmed her position in taking her fourth world title over 1500m — her third consecutive gold medal in the discipline. She added 5000m silver later. Faith Cherotich recaptured the 3000m steeplechase title, having broken a championship record, and Peris Jepchirchir timed to marathon victory — Kenya’s since 2019 in the event.
Lillian Odira also struck in the books as she won the women’s 800m title, which is a championship record since 1983 championships.
Men’s Medal Highlights
On the men’s front, Emmanuel Wanyonyi preserved Kenya’s high-flying reputation with the 800m gold, breaking a new championship record. He was the only Kenyan male winner on the global stage this year, rewriting his Paris Olympic triumph.
Debutant Dorcas Ewoi took silver in the women’s 1500m , and Edmund Serem took bronze in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Reynold Cheruiyot also took another bronze in the 1500m to round up Kenya medals.
Global Medal Standings
Despite Kenya’s record-breaking, the United States retained the overall championship with 26 medals (16 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze). Canada trailed in third place at 5 medals, followed by the Netherlands, Botswana, New Zealand, and Spain on the podium.
Looking Ahead
Kenya, with 11 medals — 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze — won the largest ever championship, extending its unbeaten dominance of distance running. The nation now looks forward to the Beijing 2027 World Athletics Championships when it will seek to make history by repeating this record-breaking feat.
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