Kenya’s athletics giants have once again stamped their authority on the global stage, storming to a glittering finish at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The nine-day event, hosted at the Japan National Stadium from September 13 to 21, ended with Kenya securing 11 medals, including a jaw-dropping seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes — a tally that translated into a record-breaking Ksh103 million payday for the team.
The U.S. may have topped the medal table, but Kenya’s performance was nothing short of historic, reaffirming its dominance in middle- and long-distance running. From Beatrice Chebet’s explosive double in the women’s 10,000m and 5000m, to Faith Kipyegon’s elegant triumph in the 1500m, the stars dazzled in front of packed Japanese stands.
Marathon queen Peres Jepchirchir, steeplechase revelation Faith Cherotich, and the men’s 800m duo Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Vivian Odira added to the golden sparkle, ensuring Kenya’s anthem rang out seven times in Tokyo.
World Athletics had announced hefty cash incentives for medalists: USD 70,000 (≈ Ksh9m) for gold, USD 35,000 (≈ Ksh4.5m) for silver, and USD 22,000 (≈ Ksh2.8m) for bronze. Kenya’s athletes collectively earned Ksh78 million from these payouts alone.
But the windfall didn’t stop there. In August, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya unveiled a revamped reward scheme for Kenyan medalists: Ksh3m for gold, Ksh2m for silver, and Ksh1m for bronze. This additional Ksh25 million push from the government brought the grand total to a staggering Ksh103 million.
The breakdown of Kenya’s medal haul reads like a dream:
7 Golds: Chebet (10,000m & 5000m), Jepchirchir (Marathon), Cherotich (3000m Steeplechase), Kipyegon (1500m), Wanyonyi (800m), Odira (800m).
2 Silvers: Kipyegon (5000m), Ewoi (1500m).
2 Bronzes: Cheruiyot (1500m), Serem (3000m Steeplechase).
With the cash rolling in and history rewritten, Kenya’s track and field stars have not just conquered the podium, they’ve secured their place in the nation’s sporting folklore, proving once again that when it comes to endurance, Kenyans simply run the world.
http://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/116423-kenyan-athletes-pocket-over-ksh-78m-prize-money-11-medals-tokyo
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