Tokyo – Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s marathon at the world athletics championships in Tokyo on Sunday, with the Kenyan adding a world title to the gold she claimed at the Olympics in Japan in 2021.
Jepchirchir emerged as the winner of a race that evolved into a head-to-head battle with Paris Olympic silver medalist Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia. The Kenyan overtook Assefa on the final bend at the National Stadium and won by two seconds, in season-best 2 hours, 24 minutes, 43 seconds.
“I have good memories here in Tokyo, in Japan,” said Jepchirchir, who won her 2021 gold medal in Sapporo, Hokkaido, where the Olympic marathons were staged.
“I’m dedicating this medal to my Kenyans, my fans, and Kenyans who believe in us, who pray for us.”
Jepchirchir’s win was Kenya’s first in the women’s marathon at the world championships since 2019.
Julia Paternain of Uruguay won bronze in 2:27:23, while Kana Kobayashi was Japan’s best finisher in seventh after crossing in 2:28:50.
“I’m really happy. I got cheered on throughout the race and couldn’t have felt better,” Kobayashi said after representing Japan for the first time. “It was a real pleasure to run a big race like this.
BY: The Times Union
