Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei has officially secured his qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships after clocking an impressive 2:05:59 at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. The performance marked a significant three-minute improvement from his marathon debut in Valencia last year, earning him a ninth-place finish in a highly competitive field. His compatriot, Stephen Kissa, finished 25th in 2:09:34, falling short of the qualification standard.
The Tokyo Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label event, was dominated by Ethiopian runners. Tadese Takele claimed his first major marathon title in a world-leading 2:03:23. The 2021 World U20 steeplechase silver medalist surged past Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi and fellow Ethiopian Deresa Geleta at the 38km mark to finish ahead in 2:03:51 and 2:04:00, respectively.
In the women’s race, defending champion Sutume Kebede made history by becoming the first back-to-back winner of the Tokyo Marathon women’s title, finishing in 2:16:31. She set an aggressive early pace but slowed in the second half, managing to hold off Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti, who clocked a personal best of 2:16:56. Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa placed third in 2:17:00, making it a historic podium where all three women finished under 2:17.
For Cheptegei, the Tokyo Marathon was a crucial step in his transition from track dominance to marathon racing. Running in the second group for much of the race, he took control of the chase pack around the 35km mark, finishing strong to claim a top-10 position and secure his place at the World Championships.
Meanwhile, Kissa struggled to maintain his pace in the latter stages, finishing well outside the qualification zone. His time of 2:09:34 was significantly below his personal best of 2:04:48, leaving him with work to do if he hopes to make the World Championships later this year.
With his qualification secured, Cheptegei is set to return to Tokyo later this year, where he will face the world’s best on one of athletics’ grandest stages.
