Faith Kipyegon Confident Kenya Will Shine at Tokyo Worlds

• Jul 23, 2025

Faith Kipyegon says she is confident in Kenya’s athletics team ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The triple Olympic gold medalist expressed her optimism about the squad's strength and medal prospects as the countdown to the global event, set for September 13–21 in Japan, continues. Although she did not participate in the national trials held on Tuesday due to automatic qualification, Kipyegon believes the team selected is solid and capable.

“This is a solid team,” she told Citizen Digital. “I am healthy and the selected squad has what it takes, and we’ll do everything possible to bring the medals home.”

Kipyegon, who will be chasing a record fifth world title in Tokyo, enters the championship in excellent form. On July 5 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, she smashed her own 1500m world record by clocking 3:48.68, beating her previous best of 3:49.11.

The reigning world mile record holder is also set to compete in the 5000m, where she will renew her rivalry with Beatrice Chebet—the current 5000m world record holder. The two are expected to headline one of the most anticipated races in Tokyo.

Kenya will be sending a star-studded team that includes sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala, former javelin world champion Julius Yego, middle-distance specialist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, 800m Commonwealth Games gold medalist Mary Moraa, and rising steeplechase star Faith Cherotich.

Beatrice Chebet, who has shown consistency in the Diamond League, will lead Kenya’s charge in the long-distance events.

Kenya will be hoping to improve on its performance from the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where they earned a total of 10 medals—three gold, three silver, and four bronze.

Tokyo holds special significance for Kipyegon, as it is where she won one of her Olympic gold medals in 2021. With the World Championships returning to the Japanese capital, both she and her teammates are hoping for another golden chapter in Kenyan athletics history.