Irene Jepkemboi

Last updated
Irene Jepkemboi
Personal information
Born (2004-02-05) 5 February 2004 (age 21)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Event Javelin throw
Achievements and titles
Personal bestsJavelin: 60.31 (Eugene, 2025) NR
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
African U20 Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Ndola Javelin throw

Irene Jepkemboi (born 5 February 2004) is a Kenyan javelin thrower. She is the national record holder in the event. In 2025 she became the first Kenyan woman to compete in the javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships. [1]

Biography

Jepkemboi attended Emkwen Primary School and Kaptebengewet High school in Uasin Gishu County. [2] She later trained at the Complete Sports Training Camp in Kaptagat. [3]

She won the silver medal in the javelin throw at the 2023 African U20 Championships in Ndola, Zambia in May 2023. [4] [5] She won the senior national title in the javelin throw at the Kenyan Athletics Championships in Nairobi in June 2023. [6]

She moved to the United States to compete for Texas Christian University (TCU). [7] In March 2024, she broke the Kenyan national record, previously set by Cecilia Kiplagat in 2007, with a 57.23m throw at the Texas A&M Invitational. She won the Big 12 Championships that year as a freshman, before finishing fourth overall at the 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, with a throw of 56.51 metres. [8]

She threw a national record 60.31 metres whilst competing fir TCU at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, placing third overall. [9] She won the Kenyan Athletics Championships again in Nairobi in June 2025, with a throw of 57.88 metres. [10]

She was selected to compete at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, qualifying via her world ranking. She threw 57.66 metres but did not advance to the final. In doing so, she became the second Kenyan athlete after Julius Yego, and the first Kenyan female, to compete in the javelin at the championships. [8] [11]

References

  1. "Irene Jepkemboi". World Athletics. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  2. "Javelin Queen Irene Jepkemoi Puts Worlds Slot In Her Crosshairs With National Record". Daily Sport. June 24, 2025. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  3. "Kenya's javelin sensation Irene Jepkemboi targets big goals after breaking national record in USA". Pulse Sports. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  4. "Kenyans impress in Africa Athletics Junior event". Nation.Africa. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  5. "African U20 Championships". World Athletics. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  6. "Kenyan Championships". World Athletics. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  7. "Irene Jepkemboi: Rising javelin record holder". Nation.Africa. June 6, 2025. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Tokyo2025: National javelin star Jekemboi set for historic WC appearance". Mozzart Sport. 2 Sep 2025. Retrieved 18 Sep 2025.
  9. "NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships". World Athletics. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  10. "Kenyan Championships". World Athletics. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  11. "World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025". World Athletics. 18 Sep 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.