Beatrice Chebet’s outstanding 2025 season places her at the forefront of the competition for the World Athlete of the Year Award. Nominated alongside elite athletes like Faith Kipyegon, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and Femke Bol, Chebet’s dominance on the track this year makes her the most deserving contender for the prestigious title.
Chebet’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of exceptional. She only lost one international race, and that was in the 1,500m at the Silesia Diamond League, an event that is not her specialty. Her performance in the 5,000m, however, was remarkable. She triumphed in all four of her Diamond League races, demonstrating her unparalleled consistency and excellence. Notably, she opted to skip the season finale to focus on preparations for the World Championships, a move that paid off as she broke the 5,000m world record with a stunning time of 13:58.06 at the Prefontaine Classic in July.
At the World Championships in Tokyo, Chebet further solidified her claim to the Athlete of the Year title. She was the favourite to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m events and delivered on that expectation with dominating performances. Chebet claimed Kenya’s first gold medal in the 10,000m before edging out Kipyegon to take the 5,000m title, completing a double that showcased her versatility and strength.
In comparison, while her rivals also had impressive seasons, Chebet’s achievements stand out. Faith Kipyegon, another Kenyan, broke her own world record in the 1,500m and retained her world title in the event but was outpaced by Chebet in the 5,000m, where she took silver. American athlete Melissa Jefferson-Wooden secured the 100m and 200m world titles and added the 4x100m gold, but lacked a world record to her name. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 400m gold in Tokyo, but Chebet’s double victory and world record in the 5,000m give her the edge.
Chebet’s dominance in 2025, coupled with her world record and two world titles, makes her the most deserving candidate for the World Athlete of the Year Award. She exemplified excellence and consistency throughout the year, making her a standout athlete in track and field.
