NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7, 2025 – After leaving mouths agape in Rome with a legendary performance at the Diamond League, Beatrice Chebet is now dreaming of another world record.
Already boasting two world records to her name – women’s 10,000m and 5km – the double Olympic champion believes she is capable of much more.
“Everything is possible. If I get someone who will push me up to 3000, it is possible. Today, I wanted to try and see how fast I can go when I push a lot. After running a meeting record and a personal best, I am so impressed. Soon, I am going for the time under 14,” the Olympic 5000m and 10,000m said.
These are words that are difficult to dispute, especially coming from an athlete who would now be a four-time world record holder if things had worked out to perfection.
At the fourth leg of the Diamond League in Doha, she fell six seconds short of smashing the world record for the women’s 3000m when she clocked 8:11.56.
On Friday night, in the Italian capital, the 25-year-old was a mere three seconds slower than the world record for the women’s 5000m – currently held by Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay.
Chebet clocked a world leading time and meet record of 14:03.69 to add to her burgeoning reputation as an athletics queen.
It was one of the fastest races of the night and Chebet is only too happy to have been part of the start list.
“I can say I also helped the others to achieve their personal bests and national records today. It helped a lot. I just have to congratulate the others as well because without them, it would not be possible to run that race,” she said.
While Chebet is looking to soar high in her career, another Kenyan athlete continued his renaissance from what has been a period of affliction.
Timothy Cheruiyot clocked a season’s best of 3:29.75 to finish second in the men’s 1500m as Frenchman Azzedine Habz also timed a SB of 3:29.72 to take top honour.
Moroccan Annas Essayi finished third, also in a SB of 3:30.74.
Speaking after the race, the 2019 World champion was a happy man, describing the result as yet another huge step for him towards the peak.
“The run was good today. I won at this stadium in 2018 so I wanted to repeat it, to catch it again. I have very nice memories about Rome. But I am happy even for this result because I have to say that the French guy surprised me in the last 30m. I need to work on my finish. My season is going well and I am glad. This is only my second race so the result is OK. It was a fast and good run. I need to go back to Tokyo and win a medal at 1500m,” the 2021 Olympic silver medalist said.
Equally flapping his wings hard towards peak fitness is Ferdinand Omanyala who came away with another podium finish in the Diamond League.
The Commonwealth Games champion clocked 10.01 to finish third in the men’s 100m, following on from Rabat where he ran 10.05 to come second in the same race.
The more the podium finishes the better for the African record holder who has not lost hope of clinching a medal at a major competition.
With the World Championships in the horizon in Tokyo in September, the podium finishes at such elite competitions will boost his confidence heading into the global showpiece.
