Tanzania celebrated a historic milestone at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after Alphonce Simbu stormed to victory in the men’s marathon, delivering the nation’s first-ever global athletics gold medal.
For years, Tanzania has watched its East African neighbors Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda dominate the global stage in long-distance running. On Monday morning, that narrative shifted as Simbu etched his name into the history books, clinching the marathon crown in dramatic fashion.
The race unfolded with a large lead pack that gradually thinned in the closing kilometers. By the final kilometre, five athletes remained in contention: Simbu, Germany’s Amanol Petros, Uganda’s Abel Chelangat, Italy’s Iliass Aouani, and Israel’s Haimro Alame. As they entered the stadium, it became a three-man duel between Petros, Simbu, and Aouani.
With 200 metres to go, Petros surged ahead and looked set to claim victory. However, Simbu displayed remarkable determination, launching a blistering late charge in the final 30 metres. In a nail-biting finish, he edged past Petros right at the line, sealing victory by just 0.03 seconds — the smallest winning margin ever recorded in a global championship marathon. Both men were timed at 2:09:48, with Aouani taking bronze in 2:09:53.
This triumph marked a defining moment for Tanzanian athletics. Simbu, who previously won marathon bronze at the 2017 World Championships, silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and silver again at the 2025 Boston Marathon, finally captured the elusive gold that had long evaded his nation. His victory is not only a personal triumph but also a source of immense national pride, as Tanzania had only sent two athletes to the Tokyo championships.
While Tanzania rejoiced, it was disappointment for Kenya. The East African powerhouse, famed for marathon excellence, struggled on the day. Kennedy Kimutai was the best finisher in 16th place, Vincent Ngetich followed in 22nd, and Hillary Kipkoech failed to complete the race. For a nation accustomed to dominating marathons, the result was a sobering reminder of rising competition.
Simbu’s golden run signals a new chapter for Tanzanian athletics, inspiring hope that the nation can stand shoulder to shoulder with Africa’s traditional long-distance giants. His victory will be remembered not just for its historic significance, but also for the grit and heart he displayed in the final metres of a breathtaking race.
