分类： sports

The 2025 UCI Road World Championships, set to begin in Rwanda on Sunday, represent a monumental milestone for African cycling. For the first time since the event’s inception in 1921, the prestigious competition will be held on African soil, with Kigali’s BK Arena serving as the starting point for the women’s individual time trial. This historic moment underscores the growing influence of African cyclists on the global stage. Among the standout competitors is Kim Le Court from Mauritius, who earlier this year became the first African to wear the leader’s yellow jersey in the Tour de France Femmes. Le Court expressed her excitement, stating that competing in Africa’s inaugural World Championships is ‘really special’ and a testament to the potential of riders from smaller nations. The event will feature 13 races across time trials and road races, with gender parity and three age categories: junior, Under-23, and elite. Rwanda’s selection as host in 2021 prompted African cycling federations to intensify their efforts in nurturing young talent, with around 150 professional cyclists from the continent now competing at the highest levels. However, Rwanda’s challenging terrain, characterized by its ‘land of a thousand hills,’ may pose difficulties for some riders, including Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay, Africa’s top male cyclist. Despite his sprinting prowess, Girmay acknowledges the grueling nature of the men’s road race, which includes over 5,500 meters of climbing. Nevertheless, he remains committed to supporting his national team and inspiring the next generation of African cyclists. The event is expected to draw massive crowds, with Rwanda’s passion for cycling evident in the annual Tour du Rwanda, which attracts over one million spectators. Despite security concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in neighboring DR Congo, the UCI confirmed the event would proceed as planned. UCI President David Lappartient emphasized the importance of uniting the global cycling community in Africa, while Kimberly Coats of Team Africa Rising highlighted the potential for long-term investment in the sport. For young African riders, the championships offer a platform to showcase their talent and attract development opportunities. Ethiopia’s Tsige Kahsay Kiros, an 18-year-old junior competitor, is among those making waves after her impressive performance at the Tour de l’Avenir. As the event unfolds, it promises to leave a lasting legacy, firmly placing African cycling on the global map.

In a dramatic and high-stakes finale at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Kenya’s Faith Cherotich emerged victorious in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, securing her first world title. The 21-year-old athlete showcased her resilience and tactical brilliance, overtaking defending champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain in a nail-biting final lap. Cherotich’s triumph was marked by a record-breaking time of 8 minutes 51.59 seconds, the fastest ever recorded at a world championship, despite the challenging humidity at Tokyo’s National Stadium.

Cherotich, who previously earned bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, demonstrated her growth as an elite athlete. Reflecting on her victory, she credited her coach’s guidance and her unwavering self-belief. ‘I believed in my kick. In the last 400 meters, I said, ‘This is my moment,” she shared. Her strategy of staying close to the leaders and unleashing her final sprint proved decisive.

Yavi, the Olympic champion, settled for silver with a time of 8:56.46, while Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew claimed bronze in a personal best of 8:58.86. Yavi acknowledged her tactical misstep, admitting she pushed too early in the race. Meanwhile, Almayew expressed her pride in overcoming the grueling conditions to secure her first senior global medal.

The race was not without its setbacks, as Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, a former Olympic gold medalist, suffered a fall and failed to finish. The intense pace set by the frontrunners hinted at the possibility of challenging Beatrice Chepkoech’s world record of 8:44.32, though the oppressive weather ultimately prevented such a feat.

Cherotich’s victory cements her status as one of steeplechase’s rising stars, while the competition highlighted the depth of talent in the event. With her eyes set on future championships, Cherotich’s journey from bronze to gold serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and determination.

Beatrice Chebet, the Kenyan long-distance sensation, has etched her name in the annals of athletics history by securing her first World Championship title in the 10,000m event in Tokyo. Despite an illustrious career that boasts two Olympic gold medals, a Commonwealth Games title, and two World Cross Country crowns, Chebet had never stood atop the podium at the World Championships until now. Her victory on the opening day of the competition marks a significant milestone in her career.

In a display of unparalleled athleticism, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya claimed her fourth world 1500m title at the 2025 World Championships, further solidifying her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history. The 31-year-old phenom, already a three-time Olympic champion, extended her dominance by winning her fifth consecutive global gold in the event. Kipyegon’s latest triumph places her alongside retired men’s world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj as the only athletes to have secured four 1500m world titles.

Kipyegon’s victory was a masterclass in strategy and endurance. She controlled the race from the outset, surging ahead in the final lap to finish in an impressive 3 minutes 52.15 seconds. Her nearest competitor, fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi, trailed by nearly three seconds, highlighting the chasm between Kipyegon and her rivals. Australia’s Jessica Hull, the Olympic silver medalist, faded to bronze after attempting to match Kipyegon’s relentless pace.

‘I just want to thank God,’ Kipyegon told BBC Sport after the race. ‘I knew I was capable of defending my world title after breaking the world record earlier this year. I thank God that I was strong today.’

Kipyegon’s victory marks her eighth global gold medal, equaling the achievements of Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Ethiopian distance running icon Tirunesh Dibaba. With her sights now set on the 5,000m event, Kipyegon aims to replicate her historic 1500m-5,000m double from two years ago.

Her journey to greatness has been nothing short of extraordinary. From running barefoot to and from school in her Kenyan village as a child, Kipyegon has risen to become the oldest woman to ever win a world 1500m title. Her relentless pursuit of excellence continues to inspire, particularly among young girls and women.

As Kipyegon’s reign of dominance shows no signs of waning, her legacy as a trailblazer in athletics is firmly cemented. ‘She makes the third lap quicker than the second, the second quicker than the first,’ commented BBC TV’s Andrew Cotter. ‘There is nothing anyone else can do but survive, hang on.’