Kenya finished second on the medal table at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, concluding the nine-day event with 11 medals: seven gold, two silver, and two bronze.

The championships, held at the Japan National Stadium from September 13 to September 21, highlighted Kenya’s strength in middle- and long-distance races, while the United States dominated across multiple disciplines to top the medal standings.

Beatrice Chebet led the way for Kenya with two gold medals, opening the campaign by winning the women’s 10,000m in 30:37.61 before doubling her tally in the women’s 5000m.

Peres Jepchirchir added another gold in the women’s marathon, finishing in 2:24:43, while Faith Kipyegon extended her illustrious career with victory in the women’s 1500m.

Faith Cherotich further underlined Kenya’s dominance in the steeplechase, setting a championship record of 8:51.59 in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.

On the men’s side, Emmanuel Wanyonyi captured gold in the 800m with a time of 1:41.86, a breakthrough performance for the rising star. Lilian Odira closed Kenya’s gold tally on Sunday with a dramatic victory in the women’s 800m, also setting a championship record at 1:54.62.

Silver medals

Kenya’s silver medals came in the women’s 5000m, where Kipyegon finished second, and the women’s 1500m, where Dorcas Ewoi secured silver to complete a Kenyan one-two finish.

The two bronze medals went to Reynold Cheruiyot in the men’s 1500m and Edmund Serem in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

The United States topped the medal table with 26 medals, including 16 golds, dominating in sprints, relays, jumps, and throws.

Jamaica, usually a sprint powerhouse, won 10 medals but managed just one gold. Canada ranked third in gold medals with three.

Botswana impressed with three medals—two gold and a silver—while the Netherlands claimed six medals: two gold, two silver, and two bronze. Spain also won three medals (two gold, one bronze), and New Zealand matched that tally with two gold and one bronze.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland endured a disappointing outing, failing to secure a gold for the first time since 2003 and finishing 21st overall.

Host nation Japan managed only two bronze medals, while Samoa celebrated a historic milestone as Alex Rose claimed its first-ever championship medal with bronze in the discus. In total, 147 medals were awarded at the championships.