Kenyan distance star Beatrice Chebet has made it clear that there will be no holding back when she lines up for her next race at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Fresh from securing gold in the women’s 10,000m, Chebet is now focused on the 5,000m final, where she is determined to produce another golden performance and etch her name deeper into the history books.
Speaking with reporters after her stunning victory earlier in the week, Chebet revealed the mental and physical toll that competing at this level demands, but she insisted she is prepared to go beyond her limits. “I have to die hard on the track,” Chebet said with a smile, her words a mix of determination and defiance. “When you are chasing greatness, you cannot hold anything back. You leave everything out there.”
Chebet’s Tokyo campaign has already been remarkable. In the 10,000m final, she executed a perfectly timed race, staying patient in the pack before surging past Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the last 250 meters to claim gold in a season’s best time. The victory was a statement of her consistency and ability to deliver under pressure, further solidifying her status as one of the most versatile distance runners in the world.
Now, all eyes are on the 5,000m, where she will face another star-studded field including Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye. The final promises to be a tactical battle, with the pace likely to swing between fast surges and slow laps designed to sap the energy of rivals. For Chebet, the challenge will be to recover quickly from her 10,000m exertions while maintaining the mental sharpness needed to respond to every move.
Her coach, Julius Kirwa, is confident that Chebet’s training has prepared her for the double. “Beatrice is in the best shape of her life,” Kirwa said. “We planned for this championship with the goal of winning two medals. She has the endurance, she has the speed, and most importantly, she has the heart.”
Chebet’s fighting spirit has made her a fan favorite, particularly in Kenya, where she is seen as the heir to the legendary lineage of women’s distance running that includes Vivian Cheruiyot and Hellen Obiri. Winning a second gold in Tokyo would not only elevate her to superstar status but also mark a significant step toward her ambitions for the Paris 2028 Olympics.
“This is about more than just medals,” Chebet reflected. “It is about inspiring young girls back home to believe that they can run, they can dream, and they can achieve.”
With the 5,000m final set to be one of the most anticipated races of the championships, Chebet’s words carry weight. She is ready to suffer, ready to push through the pain barrier, and ready to make history once again. If her performance in the 10,000m was any indication, Tokyo might just witness another golden moment for Kenya
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