From 13–21 September 2025, Tokyo will once again welcome the world’s best athletes for the World Athletics Championships. With over 2,200 competitors from around the globe registered, it promises nine days of record-breaking performances, electric atmospheres, and history in the making. Among the superstars descending on Japan, Africa’s contingent stands out, both in sheer talent and in the weight of expectation they carry onto the track.
Faith Kipyegon: The Queen of the Track
Few athletes in world sport — not just athletics — embody dominance quite like Faith Kipyegon of Kenya. The 1500m world record holder, Kipyegon has not lost a race in this event since 2019. In 2023 she achieved the seemingly impossible: breaking world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m, cementing herself as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
As she heads to Tokyo, her reputation precedes her — not just as an African icon, but as one of the most complete runners the sport has ever seen. For Kipyegon, winning is no longer enough; fans and rivals alike tune in to see just how fast she can go.
Ethiopia vs. Kenya: The Eternal Rivalry
No World Championships is complete without the East African duel that has defined long-distance running for decades: Ethiopia vs. Kenya. Tokyo will showcase the next chapter of this storied rivalry.
- Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia), reigning 10,000m world record holder, is expected to double up across distances, providing mouth-watering clashes against Kenyan runners.
- Letesenbet Gidey, another Ethiopian superstar, continues to shine, particularly in the 5000m and 10,000m. Together, they’ve lifted Ethiopian women’s distance running into a golden era.
- On the men’s side, Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) may dominate headlines globally, but Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega and Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot still headline strong middle-distance squads looking to reclaim their titles.
This rivalry is about far more than medals — it’s about the pride of whole nations and decades of tradition.
Rising Stars from Across Africa
Beyond the Kenyan and Ethiopian dynasties, Tokyo will also shine a spotlight on emerging African talent eager to break through on the world stage:
- Letsile Tebogo (Botswana): Still only in his early 20s, Tebogo is widely touted as “the next Usain Bolt.” His explosive performances in the 100m and 200m — including a 19.50 in the 200m — have already put him on sprinting’s top table. Tokyo could be his crowning moment and Africa’s next sprinting story.
- Mary Moraa (Kenya): Known as “The Dancing Queen” for her celebratory moves, Moraa is the reigning 800m world champion, bringing charisma and consistency to the two-lap race. She’ll be among Tokyo’s biggest crowd-pleasers.
- Peruth Chemutai (Uganda): Already an Olympic champion in the 3000m steeplechase, the Ugandan is aiming to write more history in Tokyo.
- Akani Simbine (South Africa): A veteran sprinter still chasing that elusive global gold. With consistency and experience, Tokyo may yet bring him the medal that’s slipped away too often.
- Chioma Onyekwere (Nigeria): Africa’s leading discus thrower, bringing much-needed representation in the field events, where Africa is steadily rising.
Uganda’s Quiet Giants
Uganda, meanwhile, has carved out its own powerhouse identity in recent years. The absence of Joshua Cheptegei—the 5000m and 10,000m world record holder—due to injury will be a blow, but rising athletes like Jacob Kiplimo remain forces to be reckoned with. Kiplimo, already a half-marathon world champion, has the versatility and strength to step into the void and carry Ugandan hopes in Tokyo.
Why Africa Matters in Global Athletics
Africa’s story at the 2025 World Championships is about more than medals. For decades, the continent has given athletics its heartbeat — from Kipchoge Keino’s trailblazing mile to Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon mastery, to the new sprint revolution powered by the likes of Tebogo.
Yet, these athletes often come from humble beginnings, training on dusty village tracks, balancing studies and farming with punishing training schedules. When they shine on the world stage, they carry not just their flags but the dreams of communities, schools, and entire nations that see in them the possibility of transformation.
Looking Ahead
As Tokyo prepares to host the world, the narrative surrounding the 2025 World Athletics Championships is clear: Africa is not just competing, it is defining the sport’s future.
From Kipyegon’s flawless dominance to the fearless rise of young talents like Tebogo, the continent blends legacy with a new generation hungry for global stardom. In the packed stadiums of Tokyo, it won’t just be about records and medals — it will be about stories: of resilience, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
And when the history books are written after these championships, one thing feels certain: Africa’s chapters will be unmissable.
✨ Takeaway: The 2025 World Championships won’t just be the biggest athletics event of the year — it could be remembered as the moment African athletes redefined the boundaries of track and field.
