Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir produced a sprint finish against Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa to win the women’s marathon gold medal on day 2 of the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Jepchirchir, who was returning to her good hunting ground in Tokyo where she bagged her Olympic title in 2021, was inseparable from the Ethiopian until they entered the Japan National Stadium, when she produced a final kick in the last bend to claim victory in a seasonal best time of 2:24:43.
Assefa took silver in 2:24:45 to add to her Olympic silver from Paris last year while Julia Paternain clinched bronze, becoming Uruguay’s first-ever world medallist.
Other Kenyan Jackline Cherono finished a distant 18th.
It was the 2nd gold for Kenya in Tokyo 2025 Championships after Beatrice Chebet had claimed gold in the 10,000 m final on Saturday.
Jepchirchir also became the 4th Kenyan woman world champion in the marathon after Catherine Ndereba (2003, 2007), Edna Kiplgat (2011, 2013) and Ruth Chepngetich (2019).
In other results on Sunday morning, former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot and Raynold Cheruiyot sailed through to the 1500m semi-final, finishing 4th in their respective heats, while Phanuel Kosgei failed to finish after falling down.
Kenya and the USA are tied on the 1st position in the medal standings with two gold medals .
Today’s events involving Kenyans will see Benson Kiplangat, Ishmael Rokitto and Edwin Kurgat compete in the men’s 10,000m final at 3:30pm.
Other events include 1500m women’s semis, defending champion Faith Kipyegon leading her compatriots Susan Ejore, Dorcus Ewoi and Diamond League champion Nelly Chepchirchir in search for slots in the final.
Mercy Oketch, Brian Tinega, Kevin Kipkorir and George Mutinda will also be in action in 400m heats, while Commonwealth Champion Ferdinand Omanyala will compete in the men’s 100m semi-final.
