Kenya wrapped up the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in spectacular fashion, finishing second overall with a record medal haul of 11 — seven gold, two silver, and two bronze.
The country’s dominance was led by five golden women and one golden man, sweeping all women’s middle- and long-distance events from 800m to the marathon, shattering three championship records and successfully defending three titles from Budapest 2023.
Beatrice Chebet reaffirmed her status as queen of the track, claiming double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m to add to her Olympic triumph.
Faith Kipyegon secured her fourth world title in the 1,500m and added a silver in the 5,000m. Faith Cherotich reclaimed the 3,000m steeplechase crown in record time, while Peris Jepchirchir brought Kenya its first women’s marathon gold since 2019.
Lillian Odira stunned with 800m gold, smashing the longest-standing record from 1983.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi was Kenya’s lone male champion, storming to 800m gold in a championship record, just as he did in Paris.
Rising stars also shone: Dorcas Ewoi (1500m silver), Edmund Serem (3000m steeplechase bronze), and Raynold Cheruiyot (1500m bronze) added to the historic tally.
The USA topped the table with 26 medals (16 gold), while Kenya’s 11 medals marked its best-ever Worlds, surpassing the 2015 Beijing haul of 11 but with fewer golds. Canada, the Netherlands, Botswana, New Zealand, and Spain followed in the standings.
The next edition will be staged in Beijing in 2027.
