Tokyo World Championships: Beatrice Chebet rules the 5,000m again with a royal double after the 10,000m

Two friends, one winner. Coming into the final bend, Faith Kipyegon (31) led the 5,000m at the Tokyo World Championships on Saturday. But down the home straight, Beatrice Chebet (25) repeated her Paris 2024 finish, turning on the afterburners and dropping the field to win in 14:54.36, a time that barely mattered. Her Kenyan teammate (14:55.07) and Nadia Battocletti (14:55.42) completed a thrilling podium. After taking gold in the 10,000m, the Kenyan completed the double and further etched her name into the history of the distance. Since the Paris Olympics, the duel between Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon has become one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s distance running. “My friend Beatrice Chebet is the best,” Kipyegon said after the clash between the two heavyweights. She had dominated the 1,500m a few days earlier and had also won gold over the distance at the Budapest World Championships. In Japan, every track fan knew it would come down to these two, or almost, right to the finish.

🗼 #WCHTokyo25 | 🇰🇪 KENYA TAKES A ONE-TWO IN THE 5,000M FINAL!

Beatrice Chebet takes gold, with fellow Kenyan Faith Kipyegon claiming silver!

📺 Watch live: https://t.co/QFMsWhP2wW pic.twitter.com/UYkBj4vm2z

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) September 20, 2025

“I don’t think we need to limit ourselves”

“Going home with two gold medals makes me really happy,” said the distance world-record holder (13:58.06), set in Eugene, USA, last July. After winning the 10,000m, I wanted to add the 5,000m again, just as I did in Paris. I’ve had an incredible season. I always encourage myself, and I don’t think we need to limit ourselves. When you have a good session, you can take on any challenge. Running with Faith (Kipyegon) and Nadia (Battocletti), you just have to believe in yourself. Today wasn’t an easy race. I came here without pressure and knew I shouldn’t get stressed. Whether you lose or win, you have to believe in yourself and be able to come back stronger. It’s crazy to bring gold and silver back to Kenya. Faith and I have been friends for a long time. We motivate each other, and I’m really happy with our performances. We wanted to win all three medals for Kenya, but unfortunately Anes Jebet (Ngetich) didn’t manage it. I wish her all the best. She’s running strongly, and I believe her time will come.”

Tactics, pace and the final 100 metres

The race began cautiously, almost ceremonially, before the pace gradually rose over the kilometres as the two giants sized up the field and measured their reserves. Americans Shelby Houlihan (fourth in 14:57.42) and Josette Andrews (sixth in 15:00.25) moved to the front while Agnes Jebet Ngetich (15th in 15:13.78) settled into an even jog at 3:17 per kilometre, projecting to 15:40 halfway through, in full “training run” mode. Unlike races where the pace is brutal from the opening kilometre, this 5,000m final began as a tactical affair. Faith Kipyegon spent a long time at the back before moving back into the pack after the 1,500m mark.

With 600 metres to go, the Kenyans upped the pace, but it was Battocletti who dared to take the lead at the bell. The field stretched out, with the tempo fading at times and sporadic surges following, until Chebet and Kipyegon took control over the final kilometre. Coming into the last bend, Kipyegon appeared to have the better position, but Chebet unleashed a devastating acceleration down the home straight, retaining enough power to hold off the late charge. A knife-edge finish in which every stride mattered.

The double: a historic achievement?

The 10,000m/5,000m double at the World Championships is nothing new, but staying on top in both events against world-class rivals in such fiercely contested races remains rare. After winning the 10,000m in 30:37.61, edging Nadia Battocletti and Gudaf Tsegay (fifth in 14:57.82) in an explosive finish, Chebet had already shown that she was in almost unreal form. This victory strengthens the case for her as one of the defining figures in women’s distance running. At the World Championships, you have to go back to 2011 and the Daegu Worlds in South Korea to find another women’s 5,000m/10,000m double, achieved at the time by Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot.

Battocletti, the surprise package just outside the world’s summit

Nadia Battocletti, more often associated with longer-distance races, slipped seamlessly into the leading trio, securing Italy’s seventh medal before the final day on Sunday. Her third place, earned while the two Kenyans settled their rivalry, was a standout performance: the Italian added another medal to her international résumé. In Europe, she had already made a major impact with a 5,000m/10,000m double at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, as well as several cross-country titles with the Italian team. As a junior, the athlete coached by her father Giuliano, a former world junior champion, had already made waves in the U23 ranks in Tallinn by winning the 5,000m.

At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Battocletti added another precious medal to her collection with silver in the 10,000m, becoming the first Italian woman to reach the Olympic podium in the event. Her personal bests speak for themselves: 14:23 for 5,000m and 30:38 for 10,000m, not to mention her indoor and road performances. With 31 national titles and several Italian records to her name, Nadia has shown not only tremendous mental strength, refusing to let go even when the main battle unfolds under the spotlight, but also an ability to find her way into the decisive moments when the pace changes and hold on when it matters.

How Hassan’s absence changed the race

Sifan Hassan, the 5,000m Olympic champion in 2021 and silver medallist at the Budapest World Championships, was not part of this battle, having turned her attention to the Sydney Marathon (2:18:22, an event record) on August 31. Her absence left a gap, but also created an opportunity, and Chebet seized it. In this context, the Chebet–Kipyegon duel takes on even greater significance: a clash without Sifan Hassan’s shadow, and all the purer for it, focused on two athletes whose paths cross, challenge and inspire each other.