by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AFRICAN athletes continue to shine on the global stage, with the continent making a significant mark at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite fierce competition from traditional powerhouses in Europe, Asia and the Americas, Africa’s long-standing dominance in middle- and long-distance running once again proved unshakable.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, a seasoned marathoner and former Commonwealth Games medallist, powered his way to a stunning gold in the men’s marathon.
Simbu’s victory was especially symbolic, as it underlined Tanzania’s resurgence in distance running, a discipline long dominated by neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
Germany’s Amanal Petros secured silver while Italy’s Iliass Aouani clinched bronze.
African women carried the torch with equal distinction. Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, already a household name after her triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, added another gold to her glittering career.
She was followed closely by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, the reigning Berlin Marathon champion, who secured silver.
Uruguay’s Julia Paternatn took bronze, breaking into what is often an East African stranglehold on women’s distance events.
In the women’s 5,000 metres final, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, one of the continent’s rising stars and a World Cross Country champion, stormed to victory with a commanding gold medal performance.
She was trailed by Ethiopia’s duo of Nadia Battocletti and Gudaf Tsegay, who settled for silver and bronze respectively, further cementing East Africa’s grip on track endurance races.
The men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase — historically dominated by Kenyan runners — produced a rare twist.
New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish took gold, ending Africa’s long reign in the event. Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the reigning Olympic and world champion, managed silver, while Kenya’s Edmund Serem secured bronze to ensure the continent remained on the podium.
In the women’s 100-metre hurdles, Nigeria’s sprint queen Tobi Amusan — the world record holder in the event — narrowly missed out on gold, finishing second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji.
The United States’ Grace Stark claimed bronze. Amusan’s silver, however, reaffirmed her status as Africa’s most consistent sprint hurdler, especially after her historic exploits at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon.
With several days of competition still to come, African athletes are expected to add to the medal tally, particularly in the middle-distance track races, marathon events, and field categories where the continent has been improving in recent years.
The championships are not only an opportunity for established champions to extend their legacies but also a platform for rising stars to announce themselves on the global stage.
For Africa, the performances in Tokyo are more than just about medals; they are a continuation of a proud tradition of resilience, endurance and excellence in athletics.
As Tuesday’s events unfold, the continent will be watching eagerly, anticipating more podium finishes that reinforce its reputation as the cradle of distance running.
— CAJ News