Kenya dominated the long- and middle-distance races at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. 

Star runner Beatrice Chebet won the 5000 m, completing a rare double by winning both the 5000 m and 10,000 m titles, a feat that makes her the first woman in history to hold both Olympic and world titles in those distances at the same time. 

On the men’s side, 21-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a new Championship Record in the 800m final to secure his first senior World gold. 

These major wins gave Kenya a total of six gold medals, placing them second overall and strengthening their argument for hosting the 2029 World Championships in Africa.

Beatrice Chebet solidified her status as the undisputed queen of long-distance running after taking the gold medal in the women’s 5000 meters. 

She deployed a signature devastating final kick to win in 14:54.36, just ahead of her compatriot and training partner, Faith Kipyegon (silver, 14:55.07).

This victory completed the coveted 5000 m/10,000 m double for Chebet, who had won the 10,000 m title earlier in the week. 

By securing both events, she became the first woman in history to simultaneously hold the Olympic and World titles in both the 5000m and 10,000m—a truly remarkable feat known in the media as the “Double-Double.”

The competition between Chebet and the legendary Kipyegon (who had already won the 1500m earlier in the week) was fierce yet respectful. 

Their embrace at the finish line, following Kipyegon’s congratulatory praise for Chebet, showcased the deep unity and talent driving Kenya’s women’s distance programs.

In the men’s 800 meters, 21-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered a commanding performance, storming to his first senior World Championship gold. 

The young runner, who hails from the distance-running hub of Iten, set a Championship Record with a time of 1:41.86.

Wanyonyi ran a tactical race from the front, holding off challenges from Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati and Canada’s Marco Arop to win a race recognized as one of the deepest in history, with all eight finalists finishing under 1:43.00. 

The championship record shows Wanyonyi is closing in on the 1:40.91 world record set by his mentor, David Rudisha, whom Wanyonyi met just before the final. 

His win confirms the arrival of a new generation of Kenyan middle-distance talent, following up on his Olympic gold from Paris 2024.

The gold medals for Chebet and Wanyonyi cemented a stellar championship for Kenya, which concluded the eighth day with a total of six gold medals, two silver, and two bronze. 

This impressive haul placed them firmly in second place on the overall medal table, behind only the United States.

These top-tier performances come at a critical time, providing a major boost of confidence for the country’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, aiming to bring the event to Africa for the first time. 

The success of its athletes is a powerful argument for Kenya’s readiness to host the world’s best. 

Meanwhile, day eight also saw Anna Hall (USA) take heptathlon gold, and Ireland’s Kate O’Connor secure a historic silver medal in the same event.