Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet made history on Saturday as she stormed to victory in the women’s 10,000m final, winning her nation’s first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old, who is the world record holder in the 5,000 metres, outpaced her opponents in the last 200 metres with a devastating kick to win her first world title on the track, crossing the line in 30:37.61. Italy’s Nadia Batocletti finished second to Chebet in a national record, this time clocking 30:38.23. Gudaf Tsegay, the defending champion, completed the podium.
Chebet’s success brought happiness to Kenyans after Team Kenya’s 4X400m mixed relay spearheaded by 800m world champion Mary Moraa was disqualified for lane infringement during the opening races.