Attention on Kenyan stars as Tokyo World Championships kicks off

Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet react after the victory ceremony for the women's 5000m during the Paris 2024 Olympics. [AFP] 

It is that time again for athletics fans to follow racing actions live. The World Athletics Championships is kicking off tomorrow in Tokyo, Japan.

The last time a major athletics battle was staged at the Japanese capital was during the 2020 Olympic Games, an event that was staged in 2021.

And so, the 2025 World Athletics Championship, which runs from tomorrow morning to September 21 brings back memories of the spectacular Olympic Games.

The Japanese National Stadium, an iconic structure, which was initially built to serve as the main venue for the third Asian Games in 1958 and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964 on the site of the former Meiji Shrine Gaien Stadium was designed to evoke “strength”, “simplicity” and “grace,” according to reports.

The former National Stadium was rebuilt in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and was completed in November 2019 and its illuminating lights are expected to show the world how stars will storm to podium spots. 

Athletics stars from across the world are converging at the new facility for a battle for honours.

Like during the Olympic Games, athletics enthusiasts will have to be awake until early hours of the morning to follow some races. Buzzing and cheers are expected to dominate entertainment joints as diehard fans watch the head-to-head battles.

At 1.30am tomorrow, the 35km race walk marks the opening of what promises to be memorable thrillers. They will be followed by a field event – the women’s discus from 3am.

In the evening of day one, Kenyan men will be hoping to impress in the 3000m steeplechase, a race that the country dominated until recently, when stars such as defending champion, Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali stepped onto the top spot of the podium, leaving the nation struggling to regain its footing.

World silver medallist Abraham Kibiwott, Under-20 champion Edmund Serem and Simon Koech will be battling strong fields as they eye places in the final.

The world’s attention will be on Kenya, whose athletes have been top of Africa and highly ranking the global charts, emerging the overall winner in 2015.

Beatrice Chebet has shattered two world records and achieved double Olympic titles over time. [AFP]

During the last edition in Budapest, Hungary, two of the country’s glorious women – Faith Kipyegon (the smiling assassin) and Mary Moraa (the dancing queen) bagged the gold medals.

Moraa was declared the 800m champion while Kipyegon stormed to 1500m and 5000m victories and achieved an exhilarating double.

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet who also flew the Kenyan colours in Budapest and won a silver medal is going to Tokyo with a much better CV.

She has shattered two world records and achieved double Olympic titles over time.

Others to watch as action kicks off tomorrow are stars who are transitioning to the senior ranks and have been turning tables recently.

They include athletes such as Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, Reynold Cheruiyot among others.

Observers say the youngsters might pull surprises as they take on their experienced counterparts at the World Championships.

During their training in Eldoret and Nairobi, Kenyan athletes prayed for good health but were wary of unpredictable weather conditions in Tokyo.