World 10,000m champion Beatrice Chebet has opened up on the motivation that pushed her to secure gold in Tokyo while outlining her strategy ahead of a mouthwatering clash with her close friend Faith Kipyegon in the 5,000m.
Chebet stormed to victory in the women’s 10,000m at the World Championships, clocking 30:37.61 to fend off a spirited challenge from Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who claimed silver, and defending champion Gudaf Tsegay, who settled for bronze. The triumph marked a historic moment for Kenya, ending a 10-year wait for a world title in the distance.
For the 25-year-old, the gold medal was more than just another victory—it was the missing piece in her career collection. Having already won at the Olympics and World Cross-Country Championships, Chebet admitted she was driven by the burning desire to finally earn her first World Championship crown.
“I told myself I had to go for it because this was the medal I didn’t have. Now I can say I am truly a world champion,” she said after the race.
The contest was far from easy, as Chebet had to dig deep against Battocletti, Tsegay, and fellow Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who pushed her until the final lap. She credited mental and physical toughness for giving her the edge when it mattered most.
Attention now turns to her favorite event, the 5,000m, where she will once again line up against some of the world’s best, including her training partner and close friend Faith Kipyegon. Despite the prospect of competing against Kipyegon, Chebet insists their bond goes beyond rivalry.
“We are friends, and when we come to the track, we run as a team. If Faith wins, I will celebrate her, and if I win, she will celebrate me. That is what the sport is about supporting each other,” Chebet explained.
Still, Chebet is determined to run her own race, targeting another podium finish and possibly her second gold in Tokyo. “I don’t have to put myself under pressure. I just want to enjoy the race and see what happens,” she added.
With her confidence soaring and form peaking, Chebet now looks poised to challenge for the double and cement her status as one of Kenya’s finest distance runners.
