Beatrice Chebet on What Fans Should Expect Ahead of Friday's Clash Against Gudaf Tsegay in Rome

Beatrice Chebet embracing Gudaf Tsegay

Beatrice Chebet on What Fans Should Expect Ahead of Friday's Clash Against Gudaf Tsegay in Rome

Abigael Wafula 18:05 - 05.06.2025

Beatrice Chebet, in stellar form this season, heads into a highly anticipated 5000m clash with rival Gudaf Tsegay in Rome.

Beatrice Chebet has been impressive in her season so far, and as she lines up for the women’s 5000m at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome on Friday, she hopes to extend the hot streak.

The world 10,000m record holder started her season with a win at the LXXXI Elgoibar Cross Country Juan Muguerza Memorial before heading to the Sirikwa Classic, where she finished a distant 34th in the women’s 2km, a race used for build-up ahead of her track season.

Beatrice Chebet then made her track debut at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen, clocking a world-leading time of 14:27.12 to win the women’s 5000m.

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Her recent performance that got people talking was at the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, where she clocked a stunning 8:11.56, the second fastest time over the distance, just behind Junxia Wang whose time stands at 8:06.11 and was set in a race in Beinjing in September 1993.

Beatrice Chebet now heads over to Rome with the much-needed confidence to deliver, and as she lines up against Gudaf Tsegay, one of her serial rivals, she has made a bold promise to fans.

Beatrice Chebet on What Fans Should Expect

Beatrice Chebet
Beatrice Chebet embraces a fellow athlete after winning in a recent race. Photo || Imago

The double Olympic champion (5000m and 10,000m) intends to focus on herself during the race despite the stiff competition Gudaf Tsegay brings.

Beatrice Chebet and Gudaf Tsegay have competed against each other in several races, including last year’s Prefontaine Classic, where the Kenyan snatched the world record from the Ethiopian.

They have also locked horns at the Paris Olympic Games, World Championships and a series of Diamond League Meetings.

“For tomorrow, I just want to run a good time. Of course, there is an aspect of rivalry between us, but for tomorrow, everyone will just run their own race, and we expect a good performance,” Beatrice Chebet said in the pre-race press conference.

“I’m happy to be in Rome, and tomorrow, I expect to run a good race because I know everyone who has come here is ready to race and going for the win. I’m ready and prepared mentally, and I hope to have a good run and have fun.”

However, even after minimising fans' expectations ahead of the race, there is no doubt that when Beatrice Chebet and Gudaf Tsegay meet in a race, fast times will be dropped and a world record might even be in the offing.

Gudaf Tsegay has also enjoyed a great start to her season, beginning with the indoor tour before her outdoor races, where she finished second behind Chebet in Xiamen and her recent victory at the 75. Boris Hanžeković Memorial.