Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet stormed to victory in the women’s 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo, clocking 30:37.61 to secure her first world title on Saturday. Despite the triumph, the world record holder suggested she will not chase the demanding 5,000m and 10,000m double this season.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti won silver in a national record of 30:38.23, while Ethiopia’s defending champion Gudaf Tsegay settled for bronze in 30:39.65.
“It was a tough, very tactical race, but I ran the the last 800 metres really hard,” Chebet said after the win. “I have never won a gold at the world championships so I was sure I had to get it. That was running in my mind during the race. This title means a lot to me and hope it will motivate young athletes out there.”
Why Did Chebet Rule Out the 5,000m-10,000m Double?
Chebet, who made history at the Paris Olympics by winning both distances, was expected to attempt the rare double again in Tokyo. Only Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba in 2005 and Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot in 2011 have previously managed it at the World Championships. But Chebet made it clear she will rest instead of chasing the feat.
“The season has been long so we are going to close the season and go for holiday,” she said.
How Did the 10,000m Race Unfold?
The race developed into a tactical battle under hot conditions in front of a full 55,000-capacity National Stadium. Chebet took the lead with 14 laps left, before passing pacing duties to her teammate Agnes Ngetich at the halfway mark. The pack gradually thinned, and with one kilometre to go, Tsegay surged ahead.
“It was Tsegay who led them through the bell, but at the 150m mark, Chebet kicked, followed by the Italian,” the report noted. Reflecting on her final push, Chebet said: “Tsegay pushed a lot and I had to keep going. I ran 1,500m in the Diamond League meet in Silesia, so my mind was like I was at the 1500m race. I had to push and follow, and motivate myself, but I wanted that gold medal so much.”
Chebet’s explosive finish sealed Kenya’s first women’s 10,000m world title since Cheruiyot’s win in 2015.
By Yockshard Enyendi
