Beatrice Chebet of Kenya delivered a thrilling performance to win the 10,000 m gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. 

After a tactical race, she used an explosive kick in the final 200 meters to pass her rivals and secure the win. 

This victory is a huge moment for Chebet, who now holds titles from the World Championships, the Olympics, and the World Cross Country Championships. 

Her win not only brings glory to her country but also highlights the bright future of Kenyan athletics.

The 10,000 m final was a strategic battle from the start, with no single athlete dominating the pace. 

The lead changed hands multiple times throughout the 25-lap race, as competitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Japan each took turns at the front. 

With just 400 meters to go, defending champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia made her move, appearing to be in a strong position. 

However, Chebet remained focused, staying right on her shoulder. 

Drawing on the speed she has honed in shorter distances, Chebet unleashed a stunning final 200-meter kick, clocking a blistering 27.21 seconds. 

Her powerful finish was enough to surge past Tsegay and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who finished in second.

“It was a tough, very tactical race,” Chebet said after her win. “My mind was like I was in a 1500 m race.” 

Her time of 30:37.61 secured the gold and marked a new world lead for the year. 

Agnes Ngetich, also of Kenya, put in a courageous effort, finishing fourth and showcasing the depth of talent within the nation’s team.

At just 24 years old, Beatrice Chebet has already built an extraordinary career. 

A product of Kenya’s renowned high-altitude training hub of Iten, she first gained international recognition with a World Cross Country junior title. 

This was followed by a stunning performance at the Paris Olympics, where she swept the gold medals in both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m events. 

She also holds multiple world records, including the 5,000 m (13:58.06) and 10,000 m (28:54.14).

This World Championships gold was the one major title missing from her collection. 

Despite finishing third at the national trials, Chebet was selected for the team based on her proven record in major competitions. 

She arrived in Tokyo with a clear goal. 

“Coming to Tokyo, I was aware I didn’t have a World Championship gold medal, so I pushed myself to come and get it,” she shared. “Now I’m a world champion. I’m so proud of myself.” 

Her victory was met with national celebration, including a congratulatory message and a promised KSh 3 million bonus from President William Ruto.

Chebet’s win provides a huge boost to the Kenyan team and sets the stage for a highly anticipated 5,000 m final later in the week. 

The event will see her go head-to-head with her friend and teammate, Faith Kipyegon, the reigning world champion in the 1500m. 

“We are friends, and when we come to the track, we are coming to race and also as a team,” Chebet said of their friendly rivalry. “If Faith wins, I will celebrate her…if I win, she will celebrate me. That’s how the sport is supposed to be.”

Her success is a symbol of resilience for Kenyan athletics, which has been working to regain its full strength after recent challenges. 

With 78 World Championships golds all-time, Kenya is the second most successful country in the competition’s history. 

Chebet’s victory, fueled by her mental toughness and talent, highlights the importance of youth development programs in places like Iten, which continue to produce champions and secure the future of East African distance running.