Kenya Celebrates Golden Generation of Female Athletes at Tokyo 2025

Women runners deliver six golds as Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Lilian Odira inspire a new era.

Kenya is celebrating a golden generation of female athletes after their dominant performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The nation finished second in the medal table behind the United States, powered by women who claimed six of Kenya’s seven gold medals across distances ranging from the 800m to the marathon.

The highlight came on Sunday when Lilian Odira stunned the field to win the 800m, smashing her personal best and breaking a 42-year-old championship record.

Odira’s story is even more remarkable as a mother of two, joining Faith Kipyegon (1500m champion) and Peres Jepchirchir (marathon winner) in proving that motherhood and elite athletics can go hand in hand.

Breaking Cultural Barriers

Former world champion Janeth Jepkosgei praised the trio as role models for African women:

“Even when you are a mother you can still rule the world. This shows young African girls that you can chase your dreams even after having a baby.”

She added that such success represents a cultural shift in Kenyan athletics, where careers once ended with marriage or motherhood.

Chebet’s Historic Double

Another standout was Beatrice Chebet, who achieved the rare 5,000m–10,000m double, becoming only the third woman in history to do so at a World Championships.

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Chebet, already the Olympic champion and world record holder, beat a stacked field, with Kipyegon finishing second in the 5,000m final.

“I came with no pressure. To go home with two gold medals is so amazing,” Chebet said.

Kipyegon’s Fourth 1500m Title

Before her 5,000m silver, Faith Kipyegon stormed to her fourth world 1500m crown, equaling Hicham El Guerrouj’s record.

Two-time Olympic champion David Rudisha hailed her as the “darling of Kenyan athletics”:

“Her resilience and hard work are an inspiration. To come back after having a child and dominate again shows true greatness.”

Wanyonyi Leads the Men

While the women took center stage, Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered gold in the men’s 800m, adding a world title to his Olympic crown.

Kenya’s men secured further bronzes through Reynold Cheruiyot (1500m) and Edmund Serem (3000m steeplechase).

But Jepkosgei voiced concern about the men’s future:

“We are losing a lot of talent to the road races. The training and approach must be restarted if we want to compete again.”

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