Kipyegon and Chebet Set for Showdown in Women’s 5,000m at World Championships

TDT | Manama

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Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, both world champions in Tokyo this week, are set to face off in the women’s 5,000m final as they chase the rare feat of a championship double.

The Kenyan duo advanced comfortably through the 5,000m heats at the National Stadium, with the final scheduled for 12:29 GMT on Saturday. This will mark their first head-to-head since last year’s Paris Olympics.

Chebet, the double Olympic champion, made history in July by becoming the first woman to run the 5,000m in under 14 minutes, setting a world record of 13:58.06 at the Eugene Diamond League. Having previously won silver in 2022 and bronze the following year, Chebet aims to complete her collection of world championship medals, taking on Kipyegon—her idol and the reigning champion.

Kipyegon, 31, has not competed in the 5,000m since the Paris Olympics, where she finished second to Chebet. Both athletes will be joined by fellow Kenyan Agnes Ngetich, the third-fastest woman of all time over the distance.

Ethiopia will also feature strongly, led by Gudaf Tsegay, bronze medallist in the 1,500m. Tsegay, who won the 5,000m world title in 2022 and the 10,000m crown in 2023, will be eager to return to the podium after leaving the Paris Olympics empty-handed.

The stage is set for an electrifying clash as the world’s top middle- and long-distance runners vie for glory in Tokyo.