Chebet says world record is possible after victory in Rabat

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet celebrates after winning the women's 3000m during the IAAF Diamond League athletics competition at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, on May 25, 2025. [AFP]

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet is targeting a world record in 3000m after storming to glorious victory at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday night.

With her blistering pace, gigantic confidence, a splendid form and a strong mental strength to boot, Chebet delivered a historic 8:11.56 in the 3000m distance – the second fastest of all time.

But a lot is in store for the 10,000m world record holder and Kenya’s golden girl as she promises the possibility of the fastest time in 3000m.

“My target was to run my personal best and a sub-8:20 (in Rabat) and I can see that I can run well. Even a world record is possible. Just believe in yourself and go for it,” Chebet said after the victory in Rabat.

Chebet's sights are now firmly on the 2025 Tokyo World Championships from September 13-21.

She has a rich collection of medals in her impressive career but a World Championship gold medal is missing on her wall cabinet.

“My target is to run good and everyone wants a gold medal and I also want a gold medal because I don’t have a World Championship gold medal,” said Chebet.

The long distance track star went on to say: “I am now praying for good health. It is not easy because we have many athletes and everyone is aiming to win a world championship gold medal.”

Nine months after superbly delivering Olympic 5000m and 10,000m gold medals in Paris last year, the 25-year-old superstar won a race against the pace lights set for 8:15.00, kicking on the final lap to cross the finish line in 8:11.56 – an African and Diamond League record that moves her to No.2 on the world all-time list. Only China’s Wang Junxia with her world record of 8:06.11 from 1993 has ever gone faster.

Chebet, who is also the road the women’s 5km world record holder, stuck behind two pacemakers from the start and with just two minutes on the clock, a lead group of three behind the pacemakers had already been established, but Chebet ran a solo race for long.

After Winnie Nanyondo took them through 1000m in 2:44.47, the pace dropped ever so slightly and Chebet reached 2000m in 5:30.51. She was running at the back of the pace lights with two laps to go but was right on the rhythm at the bell. Kicking again, Chebet left the lights behind and powered over the finish line in 8:11.56.

She won by more than 14 seconds as she oozed class. Nadia Battocletti’s of Italy placed second in 8:26.27, a national record while Ireland’s Sarah Healy ran a personal best of 8:27.02 for the third position.

“After a few laps I realised I was on my own, but I kept pushing myself to show everyone what I can do. I really like this distance – it’s nothing like a 5000m or 10,000m, it’s something completely different and I am also good at it.”

Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, a pre-race favorite for the 800m contest finished third in the race won by Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela who was celebrating his 26th birthday.

The world and Olympic finalist kicked away from his rivals and strode over the finish line in a meeting record and PB of 1:42.70, adding this victory to the win he claimed in Doha.

Burgin Max of Great Britain finished second with a 1:43.34 PB while Wanyonyi came through for third in 1:43.37.

Nelly Chepchirchir took on big shots to win the women’s 1500m in 3:58.04 as USA’s Jonah Koech secured the biggest 1500m victory of his career so far in topping the men’s race.

Azeddine Habz of France had taken control of the race but began to tire down the home straight and he had no response when Koech timed his kick to perfection.

Koech improved the meeting record with a big PB of 3:31.43 and he was followed by Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot and Festus Lagat who respectively clocked 3:31.78 and 3:32.06 – a PB for the latter. Habz finished fourth in 3:32.25.