Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: A Historic Battle Looms in the Women’s 10,000m

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s 10,000 metres at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships promises to be one of the most thrilling long-distance events in recent history. With records tumbling and rivalries intensifying, fans can expect a dramatic clash of endurance, speed, and strategy on the track.

Beatrice Chebet: The Record-Breaking Pioneer

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet continues to redefine women’s distance running. In 2024, she stunned the athletics world by breaking the 10,000m world record, becoming the first woman to dip under 29 minutes with a blistering 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. That same season, she claimed the Olympic gold medal in Paris, cementing her dominance.

Chebet, however, faces fresh challenges. At the Kenyan National Trials in Nairobi, she finished third with 30:27.52, proving that even the greatest are not immune to pressure. Tokyo offers her the chance to reclaim her supremacy and add another world title to her glittering career.

Agnes Ngetich: The Road Queen Turns to the Track

Another strong contender from Kenya is Agnes Ngetich, who already made history on the roads by setting a world record in the 10km road race at the Adizero Race in Herzogenaurach. Her versatility across surfaces has marked her as one of the brightest talents in long-distance running. Finishing second at the Kenyan Trials, she now carries both momentum and hunger into Tokyo, determined to transfer her road dominance onto the global track stage.

Janeth Chepngetich: The Trials Champion

Kenya’s depth in distance running remains unmatched, and Janeth Chepngetich proved her strength by winning the Kenyan National Trials in 30:27.02, defeating both Chebet and Ngetich. Her victory has added another layer of intrigue to the Tokyo showdown. With confidence soaring, Chepngetich arrives at the World Championships as the dark horse capable of upsetting the established stars.

Gudaf Tsegay: The Defending Champion

Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay enters Tokyo as the defending world champion, having captured the 10,000m title in Budapest 2023. Known for her tactical brilliance and searing finishing speed, Tsegay has consistently delivered on the biggest stages. She finished second to Chebet at the Prefontaine Classic in 2024, but her proven ability to rise when it matters most ensures she will be a formidable force in the Tokyo final.

Nadia Battocletti: Europe’s Medal Hope

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti has become the pride of European distance running. She captured silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics behind Chebet, setting a national record of 30:43.35 in the process. With her steady progression and tactical awareness, Battocletti is eyeing her second global medal. For Italy, she represents not only a medal chance but also a symbol of the growing European presence in global distance running.

A Clash of Titans in Tokyo

The women’s 10,000m final in Tokyo will bring together:

The World Record Holder (Chebet) chasing another gold.
The Road Specialist (Ngetich) transitioning her dominance to the track.
The Trials Champion (Chepngetich) eager to prove her victory was no fluke.
The Defending Champion (Tsegay) relying on experience and tactical mastery.
The European Challenger (Battocletti) seeking to disrupt African dominance.

With athletes capable of running under 29 minutes and multiple national records already shattered, the Tokyo 2025 women’s 10,000m could go down as the fastest and most competitive 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.