Kenyans Chebet, Koech headline African Athletics awards
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 30.10.25. | 12:11
Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi was crowned the men's overall winner, beating Emmanuel Wanyonyi to the title
World Record holder over 5,000m and 10,000m, Beatrice Chebet is the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Female Athlete of the Year for 2025 as Kenyans reaped big at the continental awards.
Chebet’s continental recognition comes after a standout 2025 season.
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She obliterated the women’s 5,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic, clocking 13:58.06 to become the first woman ever to run under 14 minutes.
Her dominance stretched to Tokyo, where she pulled off a historic 5,000m and 10,000m double, storming to victory in 14:54.36 and 30:37.61 respectively.
Quadruple world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon finished as runner up with Olympic 3,000m champion Faith Cherotich finishing third.
Kipyegon won her fourth world title over the 1,500m in Tokyo (3:52.15) adding to previous triumphs in Oregon 2022, Budapest 2023 and London 2017.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Cherotich claimed her first senior title in Tokyo, winning the steeplechase in 8:51.59.
In the men’s category, Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi was crowned overall winner. He made waves at the Tokyo World Championships last month by claiming the world 400m title, stopping the clock in 43.53.
He was further part of Botswana’s quartet that included Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Lee Bhekempilo Eppie that claimed gold over the men’s 4x400m clocking 2:57.76.
In second place in the continental awards was newly crowned 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
The 21-year-old has been in imperious form throughout the 2025 campaign setting a world leading mark of 1:41.44 over the two-lap event on his way to claiming his maiden world title in Tokyo (1:41.86).
Tanzania’s Alphonse Simbu was third in the continental awards after his heroics in Tokyo where he won Tanzania’s its first gold medal at the global showpiece, after storming to the men’s marathon title in 2:09:48.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Ethiopian Birke Haylom, the 2022 World junior champion over 1,500m was crowned best women’s youth athlete of the year while Kenya’s world U-20 record holder over 1,500m Phanuel Koech won the men’s award.
In the best coach award, Peter Kiprotich, coach to double Olympic champion Chebet and Botswana’s Chilume Chippa Ntshwarang were crowned.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president and World Athletics vice president Jackson Tuwei was crowned the Administrator of the Year.
Tuwei’s prestigious recognition comes on the heels of Kenya’s successful staging of World Athletics Gold Label events, which have further cemented the nation’s place as a powerhouse in global athletics.
Congratulations to Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President of @athletics_kenya , on being named “Administrator of the Year 2025” by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA)!
— Barnaba Korir. (@KorirOfficial) October 28, 2025
This is a well-deserved honour, recognizing his exemplary leadership in steering Kenyan athletics..., pic.twitter.com/G03rtOAta5
Among these hallmark events are the Kip Keino Classic, Sirikwa Classic Cross Country and the Chepsaita Cross Country, all of which have drawn elite fields and raised Kenya’s stature on the international circuit.
Under Tuwei, AK assembled a formidable team for the Tokyo World Championships, where the country delivered an impressive 11-medal haul (seven gold, two silver, and two bronze), finishing second behind the USA, who topped the table with 26 medals.
Nigeria’s Enifiok Udo-Obong claimed the best technical official award whereas the best African federation was awarded to Botswana and the Best women’s youth federation award to South Africa.
