Five Kenyan-born athletes representing different countries at Tokyo World Championships
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 18.08.25. | 11:15
The country’s dominance in middle- and long-distance running has long been undeniable, but the intense competition to secure a spot on the national team has seen many athletes opt to represent other nations
Kenya’s athletics powerhouse will be on full display at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, slated for Saturday, 13 to Sunday, 21, but not all the stars will don the red, green, white, and black colors.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
The country’s dominance in middle- and long-distance running has long been undeniable, but the intense competition to secure a spot on the national team has seen many athletes opt to represent other nations.
Today, more than 4,000 Kenyan athletes, spanning distance running, sprints, and field events, compete around the world, with some choosing new allegiances in pursuit of global glory.
Mozzart Sport takes a look at some of the Kenyan-born athletes who will be in action at the Tokyo World Championships
Winfred Yavi
One of the most anticipated head-to-heads in Tokyo will be in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, where Bahrain’s defending champion Winfred Yavi will take on Kenya’s world bronze medallist Faith Cherotich.
Cherotich has been a thorn in Yavi’s side this season, defeating her twice, first at the Doha Diamond League in May and again in Oslo in June.
At just 20 years old, Cherotich is quickly establishing herself as the next big name in the event, while Yavi is determined to defend her world crown.
Yavi is bolstered by her recent win over Cherotich at the Prefontaine Classic in July. She also clinched gold at the Paris Olympics.
Norah Jeruto
Another familiar name is Norah Jeruto, the Kenyan-born Kazakh who stunned the field to win gold at the 2022 Eugene World Championships.
Her victory came at the expense of Kenya’s Celliphine Chespol, who finished 13th that day. Jeruto’s form and experience will make her a strong contender once again.
Betsy Saina
Representing the United States will be Betsy Saina, who was named in the USATF marathon squad for Tokyo.
A former Kenyan Olympian, Saina boasts a marathon personal best of 2:18:19 set in Tokyo last year. She has been in impressive form, winning back-to-back USATF 25K titles in 2023 and 2024.
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter
Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, the 2022 World Championships marathon bronze medallist, will also be in action.
She will line up against Kenya’s own star-studded women’s marathon team, led by 2020 Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Jonah Koech
In the men’s 1500m, Kenya’s trio of Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Cheruiyot, and Phanuel Koech will have to contend with a fellow countryman turned rival, Jonah Koech of the USA.
The 28-year-old Kenyan-American caused a stir by winning the USATF 1500m title at Hayward Field, beating Olympic medalists Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse in the process. His victory earned him an automatic ticket to Tokyo.
Koech won gold at the Rabat Diamond League before flying to Kenya to compete at the Kip Keino Classic, where he won the 800m race. He is a force to be reckoned with.
Yavi, Saina, Jeruto, Salpeter, and Koech follow in the footsteps of Kenyan legends who have won medals for other nations.
These include 3000m steeplechase great Saaeed Shaheen (formerly Stephen Cherono), who claimed gold for Qatar in 2003 and 2005; 800m icon Wilson Kipketer, who dominated the event for Denmark with three world titles; and Lornah Kiplagat, who brought glory to the Netherlands with victories at the 2006 World Road Running Championships, 2007 World Cross Country, and 2008 World Half Marathon.
