The 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo has set his sights on ending his silver medal streak by
claiming his first gold medal
on the track at the 2025 Tokyo
World Championships.
At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he clocked 27:52.60 to clinch silver behind Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei ( 27:51.42 ) with Ethiopia’s Solomon Barega ( 27:52.72 ) hot on their heels.
His silver collection further includes the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he clocked 27:11.26 in the 10,000m— narrowly edged out by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo ( 27:09.19 ) with Kibiwott Kandie ( 27:20.34 ) third.
He holds another silver medal from the 2022 African Championships, where he clocked 13:38.79 in the 5000m— trailing Ethiopia’s Hailemariyam Amare ( 13:36.79 ).
With a string of silver medals to his name, Ebenyo is determined to strike his first gold medal on the track in Tokyo.
“I have unfinished business on track. A gold has eluded me and that is what I am looking at the Tokyo World Championship,” Ebenyo declared during a pre-race conference at the Kolkata 25km race.
The entry standard for the 10,000m event for the World Championship is set at 27 minutes in the men’s race. Ebenyo has yet to meet the qualifying standard.
On Saturday, he failed to defend his Kolkata 25km title, settling for second place in 1:12:37 behind Uganda’s Stephen Kissa ( 1:12:33 ) with compatriot Anthony Kipchirchir ( 1:22:55 ) finishing third.
Olympic marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto placed fourth in 1:13:25 with Asbel Rutto fifth in 1:13:36.
Last year, Ebenyo claimed the title in 1:11:13 edging out Victor Kipruto ( 1:12:26 ) and Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Demeke ( 1:13:36 ).
The 29-year-old was using the Kolkata 25km race as part of his build-up for the 2025 season. Reflecting on the race, he noted that he was a bit fatigued during the race.
“I felt some fatigue today, but this is sports. Every day, a champion is born in sports. Last year, it was me. This year, it was Kissa. That is the fun of sports,” he noted.
He further highlighted that the
Chicago Marathon had drained
some energy from him. “I was a
little tired this year as I did not
recover from the Chicago Marathon. I will take a break for the
festive season and spend time
with my family,” Ebenyo said.
