Career
Beatrice Chebet was born on 5 March 2000, the daughter of Francis and Lilian Kirui. [8] [9] While at primary school, she raced in 5000 m events, [9] and went on to attend Saramek Secondary School, Londiani, graduating from there in 2013. [9] She joined the Lemotit Athletics Club in November 2016. [9]
In June 2018, at the age of 18, Chebet won the Kenyan Under-20s 5000 metres. A month later at Tampere 2018, she became the first Kenyan woman and the first non-Ethiopian since 2006 to win the 5000 m title at the World U20 Championships in Athletics. [10]
At the 2019 World Cross Country Championships, the top three athletes in the women's U20 race – Chebet and the Ethiopian duo of Alemitu Tariku and Tsigie Gebreselama – were all awarded the time of 20:50 as they finished together. Tariku was initially announced as the winner, with Gebreselama awarded silver. However, after the photo finish footage was reviewed Chebet received the gold medal. [11] Also 2019, she won the Kenyan U20 National Cross Country Championships. [12]
At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Chebet claimed a silver medal in the 5000 metres, with a time of 14:46.75 behind Gudaf Tsegay in 14:46.29 and ahead of Dawit Seyaum (14:47.36). [13]
On 31 December 2023, at the Cursa dels Nassos in Barcelona, Chebet set a new women's only 5 kilometre world record of 14:13, which was faster than both the previous women's only world record of 14:29, and the mixed world record of 14:19 set in 2021. [14]
At the 2024 Prefontaine Classic, Chebet broke Letesenbet Gidey's 10,000 metres world record of 29:01.03, running a time of 28:54.14 to become the first woman to break the 29 minute barrier. [note 1] The race was originally billed as a world record attempt by Gudaf Tsegay. Chebet attached herself to Gudaf throughout the twenty five lap race, but as Gudaf faded from world record pace nearing the end, Chebet surged with three laps to go to catch up with the world record wavelights and went on to break the record. [15]
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chebet won an Olympic gold medal in the women's 5000 metres on 5 August, finishing with a time of 14:28.56, beating defending champion Sifan Hassan, reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon, and world record holder Gudaf Tsegay in a highly anticipated race. Chebet stayed in the pack for much of the race, but as Kipyegon made a surge to the front, Chebet followed, out-kicking Kipyegon in the final hundred metres to become the Olympic Champion. [16] [17] Chebet also won Olympic gold in the 10,000 metres on 9 August, finishing in a time of 30:43.25. [18]
At the 2024 Weltklasse Zurich meeting on 5 September, Chebet attempted to break the 5000 metres world record of 14:00.21 set by Gudaf Tsegay in 2023, perhaps to become the first woman under the 14 minute barrier. However, with pacing only to 2000 metres and the weather conditions proving to be too poor for a record attempt, Chebet was unable break the world record or her personal best of 14:05.92, but still managed to dip below 14:10 to win the race in a world leading time and a new meeting record of 14:09.52. [19] [20]
On 14 September 2024, Chebet won the 5000 metres at the 2024 Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium, in a time of 14:09.82. [21]
On 31 December 2024, at the Cursa dels Nassos, Chebet broke Agnes Jebet's mixed 5 kilometre world record of 14:13, running 13:54. In setting this record, Chebet became the first woman to break the 14 minute barrier on any surface. [22] [23]
Chebet trains in Londiani, Kericho County. [12] She is nicknamed the "smiling assassin". [24]
