Beatrice Chebet delivered another unforgettable performance at the World Championships, sprinting past Kenyan teammate Faith Kipyegon in the final stretch to win the women’s 5,000m. Chebet clocked 14:54.36 to seal her second gold medal of the competition, adding to her 10,000m victory from last weekend. The triumph also denied Kipyegon her chance to complete a historic 1,500m and 5,000m double. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti claimed bronze in 14:55.42.
How Did Chebet Secure the Double?
The race started at a steady pace, led by American duo Shelby Houlihan and Josette Andrews. The pack stayed tight, with Chebet, Kipyegon, and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay all biding their time. As the laps unfolded, Chebet positioned herself smartly behind Battocletti, conserving energy for the decisive moments. With 600 metres remaining, Kipyegon surged ahead, setting up what looked like her winning move.
But Chebet’s strength was saved for the final 50 metres. Powering through the home straight, she unleashed a devastating kick that left Kipyegon behind and secured her world double, replicating her Olympic feat in Paris last year when she won both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
What Did Chebet Say After the Race?
“Going home with two gold medals makes me really happy,” Chebet said after the victory. “After winning the 10,000 metres, I wanted to add the 5,000 metres again, like I did in Paris. I’ve had an amazing season. I always encourage myself and believe we don’t need to limit ourselves.”
Chebet also praised her competitors and Kenya’s dominance on the track: “Running with the likes of Faith and Nadi,a you just have to believe in yourself. Today was not an easy race. It will be amazing to bring home gold and silver to Kenya. Faith and I have been friends for a long time. We motivate each other, and I am really pleased with our performances.”
Chebet’s back-to-back victories underline her place as one of the most dominant long-distance runners today. Increasing her capacity from the Olympic double to now achieving the same on the world stage shows her consistency and resilience. Her finishing kick not only highlights her tactical maturity but also reaffirms Kenya’s deep legacy in distance running.
By Yockshard Enyendi