On Tuesday evening, Beatrice Chebet was in tears when Faith Kipyegon, her friend, won a record fourth title in the women’s 1500m.
“Beatrice is my friend, she told me I’ll be on the track to support you,” said an overwhelmed Kipyegon then, “Whoever wins the 5000m, we will be happy for each other.”
Chebet herself had won the women’s 10,000m title on the first day of the competition, but the two of them wanted something more from Tokyo – the women’s 5000m title.
Fast forward to Saturday evening, in one corner was the defending champion from Budapest and in the other corner was the world record holder.
As the 16 finalists came out at around 9:22 pm local time, Sia’s Unstoppable was playing in the background, setting the stage for two women at the peak of their powers. It was a calm and composed start. No unneccesary drama. No one moving early. American duo Shelby Houlihan and Josette Andrews led them through the first few lasps with Agnes Jebet, the 10km world record holder, keeping a close eye.
Nothing from Kipyegon or Chebet, who jogged patiently behind in 8th and 9th place, interchangeably – you’d think they were on a morning stroll at their training base in Kaptagat, Western Kenya.
Then, with one and a half laps to go, Nadia Battocletti made the most decisive move of the race. The 10,000m silver medalist sprang to the front almost as if asking the two well-established Kenyans, It’s time to go. Taking cue from this, Kipyegon moved to the outside lane and engaged a different gear with Chebet following in tow.
With slightly less than 200m remaining, the race turned into what had been predicted. A battle between two friends. Kipyegon and Chebet pulled away, but the former’s kick proved more devastating as she crossed the line first with a time of 14:54.36. “Faith and I have been friends for a long time. We motivate each other and I am really pleased with our performances.”
Chebet now holds both the Olympic and world titles, plus the world records in both events. Her friend, Kipyegon, and with good reason, is still the GOAT of middle-distance running, but after a show in Tokyo, the 25-year-old Chebet is not far off. “Going home with two gold medals makes me really happy. After winning the 10,000 metres, I wanted to add the 5000 metres again, like I did in Paris. I’ve had an amazing season.”
Kipyegon came through in a season’s best time of 14:55.07 before beautifully hugging Chebet.
“My friend Beatrice Chebet is the best. She has the world record; she is very tough to beat. I knew it was going to be a battle until the finish line, and it was a great one”
Battocletti recorded another amazing podium finish, holding off Houlihan and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. Kipyegon and Chebet might have the fairytale story of two friends who are world beaters, but Battocletti will be keen on disrupting the mojo between the two next season.
After all was said and done, it was all smiles between Kipyegon and Chebet in the mixed zone. Two friends, one race, but one gold. You can’t wait for the next battle, huh?
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Martin Moses (Kenya) is part of the Media Academy, an initiative of World Athletics in partnership with AIPS.