Thrilling Start to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo: Key Winners and Standouts

The 2025 World Athletics Championships, held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, have already delivered a whirlwind of excitement, records, and surprises in the early days of competition. As of September 15, 2025, several marquee events have concluded, showcasing global talent across track, field, and road races. With powerhouses like the United States dominating the medal tally so far, underdogs and veterans alike have made their mark. Below, we summarize the winners from completed finals, including full podiums where available, before shining a spotlight on Kenya’s impressive performances.

Completed Events and Medalists

Track Events

• Women’s 10,000m Final
  Gold: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) – 30:37.61
  Silver: Nadia Battocletti (ITA) – 30:38.23 NR
  Bronze: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) – 30:39.65 SB
• Men’s 10,000m Final
  Gold: Jimmy Gressier (FRA) – 28:55.77 SB
  Silver: Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) – 28:55.83 SB
  Bronze: Andreas Almgren (SWE) – 28:56.02
• Women’s 100m Final
  Gold: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) – 10.61 CR WL
  Silver: Tina Clayton (JAM) – 10.76 PB
  Bronze: Julien Alfred (LCA) – 10.84
• Men’s 100m Final
  Gold: Oblique Seville (JAM) – 9.77 PB
  Silver: Kishane Thompson (JAM) – 9.82
  Bronze: Noah Lyles (USA) – 9.89 SB
• Mixed 4x400m Relay Final
  Gold: United States (USA) – 3:08.80 =CR WL
  Silver: Netherlands (NED) – 3:09.96 SB
  Bronze: Belgium (BEL) – 3:10.61

Field Events

• Men’s Shot Put Final
  Gold: Ryan Crouser (USA) – 22.34m
  Silver: Uziel Muñoz (MEX) – 21.97m NR
  Bronze: Lorenzo Fabbri (ITA) – 21.94m
• Women’s Discus Throw Final
  Gold: Valarie Allman (USA) – 69.48m
  Silver: Jorinde van Klinken (NED) – 67.50m SB
  Bronze: Silinda Moráles (CUB) – 67.25m PB
• Women’s Long Jump Final
  Gold: Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA) – 7.13m WL
  Silver: Malaika Mihambo (GER) – 6.99m
  Bronze: Natalia Linares (COL) – 6.92m =PB

Road Events

• Men’s 35km Race Walk Final
  Gold: Evan Dunfee (CAN) – 2:28:22
  Silver: Caio Bonfim (BRA) – 2:28:55 SB
  Bronze: Katsuki Hayato (JPN) – 2:29:16
• Women’s 35km Race Walk Final
  Gold: María Pérez (ESP) – 2:39:01
  Silver: Antonella Palmisano (ITA) – 2:42:24
  Bronze: Paula Milena Torres (ECU) – 2:42:44 NR
• Women’s Marathon Final
  Gold: Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) – 2:24:43 SB
  Silver: Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 2:24:45
  Bronze: Julia Paternain (URU) – 2:27:23
• Men’s Marathon Final
  Gold: Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) – 2:09:48 SB
  Silver: Amanal Petros (GER) – 2:09:48
  Bronze: Iliass Aouani (ITA) – 2:09:53

Kenyan Athletes Shine Bright in Tokyo

Kenya has wasted no time asserting its distance-running dominance at these championships, securing two gold medals in the opening days and positioning itself second in the medal table. Beatrice Chebet delivered a stunning performance in the women’s 10,000m, surging ahead in a thrilling finish to claim her first world title with a time of 30:37.61, edging out Italy’s Nadia Battocletti by mere hundredths of a second. This victory marks a high point for the Olympic champion and world-record holder, who outlasted a stacked field including Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.

Not to be outdone, Peres Jepchirchir powered through the women’s marathon to win gold in 2:24:43, outsprinting Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in the final stretch for a dramatic finish. The Kenyan veteran, known for her tactical prowess, added another major title to her resume, which includes Olympic gold from 2021.

Other Kenyan highlights include Agnes Ngetich finishing fourth in the women’s 10,000m (30:42.66), just missing the podium. With more distance events like the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase still to come, Kenya is poised for additional medals as the championships progress.

Current Medal Table (as of September 15, 2025)

The United States leads thanks to strong showings in sprints, throws, and relays, but the competition remains fierce with over a week of action left. Stay tuned for updates as stars like Faith Kipyegon (KEN) and Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) take the stage in upcoming finals.