Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Beatrice Chebet Leads a Historic 5000m Showdown

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s 5000 meters at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying distance races in history. With world records already shattered this season and multiple global champions in peak form, the stage is set for a dramatic battle that could redefine the limits of women’s distance running.

Beatrice Chebet: The World Record Breaker

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet enters Tokyo as the woman to beat. After years of near misses — silver in Eugene 2022 and bronze in Budapest 2023 — she finally appears ready to claim her long-awaited first world gold medal.

Chebet has been unstoppable in 2025:

Olympic Double Champion (Paris 2024) – 5000m in 14:28.56 and 10,000m in 30:43.25.
World Record Holder – Broke the 14-minute barrier for the first time in history, running 13:58.06 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.
Diamond League Wins – 5000m in Xiamen (14:27.12), 3000m in Rabat (8:11.56), and 5000m in 14:03.69.
Versatility Across Distances – Even placed third in the 1500m in Chorzow with a lifetime best of 3:54.73.

Chebet’s ability to dominate across events makes her not only the favorite for gold but also a pioneer reshaping the boundaries of women’s distance running.

Agnes Ngetich Jebet: Kenya’s Rising Star

Another Kenyan talent, Agnes Ngetich Jebet, has been hot on Chebet’s heels. She clocked the second-fastest time of 2025, running 14:01.29 in Eugene, just outside the world record. Ngetich also showcased her consistency with a victory in Brussels at 14:24.99.

Her presence ensures that Kenya arrives in Tokyo with a formidable 1-2 punch, capable of securing multiple medals.

Gudaf Tsegay: Ethiopia’s Golden Force

Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay is no stranger to global glory. With world titles in both the 5000m (Eugene 2022) and 10,000m (Budapest 2023), she remains one of the fiercest competitors on the track.

Season’s Highlights: Third at the Prefontaine Classic in 14:04.41.
Mile Speed: Ran 3:50.62 in Chorzow, the second-fastest 1500m of her career, underlining her lethal finishing speed.

Tsegay thrives in tactical races, and her combination of endurance and explosive speed makes her Chebet’s greatest rival.

Emerging Talent: Aleshign Baweke

Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke, the World U20 champion, has already transitioned seamlessly to senior competition. She claimed the Diamond League Final in Zurich over 3000m in 8:42.35, signaling that she is ready to contend against the very best.

Nadia Battocletti: Europe’s Brightest Hope

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti has been rewriting history books for European athletics. In 2025 she:

Broke the Italian 5000m record with 14:23.15 at the Golden Gala in Rome, making her the second-fastest European ever.
Added to her trophy cabinet with two European gold medals (5000m & 10,000m).
Improved her 3000m record (8:26.27 in Rabat) and posted a lifetime best of 3:58.15 in the 1500m.

Battocletti’s range across distances has elevated her into the conversation for a podium finish in Tokyo.

Josette Andrews: The American Challenger

The United States will be represented by Josette Andrews, who continues to climb the international ranks. She set personal bests in 2025:

Indoor 3000m – 8:29.77 in New York.
5000m – 14:25.37 in Rome.

While she may not yet have the resume of Chebet or Tsegay, Andrews has the strength and closing speed to cause an upset if the race turns tactical.

Why the Tokyo 5000m Could Be Legendary

The women’s 5000m in Tokyo brings together:

The World Record Holder (Chebet), chasing her first world title.
The Established Champion (Tsegay), defending Ethiopia’s dominance.
Kenya’s Rising Force (Ngetich), running times once thought impossible.
Europe’s Record Breaker (Battocletti), carrying continental pride.
Global Depth (Andrews, Baweke, and others), ensuring a world-class final.

With athletes capable of running sub-14 minutes, Tokyo may deliver the fastest and most competitive 5000m race in history.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.