Chebet strikes gold in world 10,000m showdown

TOKYO: Olympic champion and world-record holder Beatrice Chebet delivered a stunning late surge to win her maiden world 10,000 metres crown at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday.

The Kenyan star bided her time before unleashing a blistering kick on the final lap, crossing the line in 30:37.61 to open her campaign for a 5,000m–10,000m double, a repeat of her golden sweep at the Paris Olympics last year.

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti chased hard but could not match Chebet’s finishing pace, settling for silver in a national record 30:38.23. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, world champion in 2023, secured bronze in 30:39.65, edging out Chebet’s compatriot Agnes Jebet Ngetich.

The race had unfolded tactically, with Japan’s Ririka Hironaka delighting home fans by leading for the first eight laps before a select group — including Chebet, Battocletti, Tsegay, Ngetich, and Ejgayehu Taye — pulled clear. Tsegay made the first big move with 1,000m to go, but Chebet’s devastating burst on the final bend proved decisive.

With the 10,000m title secured, Chebet now turns her attention to the 5,000m as she chases another golden double.