Beatrice Chebet, the women’s 10,000m world record holder, wants to maintain her position as the world’s best athlete.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, the Paris Olympics distance double winner said she still has some fire in her belly to assert dominance on the track.
Chebet, 24, became the third woman in history to win 10,000m and 5,000m at the same Olympic Games, solidifying her reputation as a powerful force in long-distance races.
In the face of fierce domestic and international competition, she feels she still possesses the mojo to secure more titles.
“As they say, getting to the top is much easier than staying there. However, I am prepared to work even harder and take all necessary steps to continue being the best over the distances,” Chebet said.
The Londiani-born National Police Service officer gained international recognition after winning a silver medal in the 5,000m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
In Birmingham, England, she won a spectacular gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Chebet placed first in the 5,000m at the 2022 African Championships in St. Pierre, Mauritius.
She got off to a strong start in 2023, winning a medal in the senior women’s race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.
She stunned pre-race favourite and multiple world record holder Letesenbet Gidey on a difficult course.
However, she said she had to punch above her weight to garnish her trophy cabinet with more medals, adding that she intends to secure more titles for Kenya in the coming months.
“It has not been easy but it’s all about discipline and hard work. Determination to succeed has always driven me to new heights,” she said.
Chebet’s career took off in 2018 after she took home gold in the 5,000m event at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
She then won another gold at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark in the Under-20 division.
She took home a diamond trophy and a bonus of Sh3.8m after winning the overall Diamond League trophy for the 5,000m.
She clocked a new world record
of 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic meeting, besting the 29:01.03
set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey
at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands
on June 8, 2021.
