The World Athletics Championships in Tokyo have delivered a whirlwind of emotions for Team Kenya, showcasing both the thrilling promise of new talent and the agonizing near-misses that define elite sport.
The Kenyan contingent experienced a day of stark contrasts on the track. The women’s team provided a masterclass in middle-distance dominance, while the men’s squad endured a series of devastating setbacks.
Trio of Kenyan Stars Advance in Women’s 1500m
In a display of sheer grit and tactical brilliance, Kenya will be represented by three athletes in the highly anticipated women’s 1500m final. Three-time world champion Faith Kipyegon led the charge, effortlessly winning her semi-final in a time of 4:00.34 and cementing her status as the athlete to beat.
She will be joined by two formidable teammates. Nelly Chepchirchir delivered a nail-biting performance, winning her semi-final by the slimmest of margins—just 0.01 seconds—ahead of Australia’s Jessica Hull, clocking 4:06.86. Completing the powerful Kenyan trio was Dorcus Ewoi, who finished right behind Kipyegon in her heat with an impressive 4:00.65 to secure second place.
The stage is now set for a spectacular final, with Kipyegon’s title defense poised against the rise of her young compatriots and established rivals like Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu and American Sinclaire Johnson.
Agony on the Track: Kenyan Men Miss Podium in Dramatic 10,000m
The narrative took a heartbreaking turn in the men’s 10,000m final, an event that will be remembered for its dramatic photo-finish and cruel margins.
In what was a tightly contested and stunning race, France’s Jimmy Gressier shocked the athletics world by clinching the gold medal in 28:55.77, holding off a fierce challenge from Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who took silver just 0.06 seconds behind (28:55.83). Sweden’s Andreas Almgren completed the podium, winning bronze in 28:56.02.
The result was a brutal blow for Kenya’s Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui, who trains in the US. Despite a brave and remarkable push in the final laps, Kipkurui missed a medal by a heartbreaking margin, finishing fourth in 28:56.48—less than half a second outside the bronze medal position. His compatriot, Edwin Kurgat, settled for seventh place.
The victory for Gressier was historic, making him the first European to win the event since Somali-born Briton Mo Farah in 2017.
Omanyala’s Sprint Dream Ends in Semi-Finals
The disappointment continued for Kenya in the men’s 100m. The nation’s sprint sensation, Ferdinand Omanyala, failed to advance to the final after finishing fifth in his semi-final with a time of 10.09, despite a strong start. The final was later won by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, who became the new world champion ahead of compatriot Kishane Thompson and American Noah Lyles.
As the championships continue, Kenya looks to its triumphant women to bring home gold and to regroup after a day where victory was measured in mere hundredths of a second.
