Nelly Chepchirchir Declares War in Tokyo with Faith Kipyegon by Her Side

Nelly Chepchirchir, unbeaten in 2025, is aiming for a dominant podium finish alongside Faith Kipyegon in the women's 1500m at the Tokyo World Championships.

Nelly Chepchirchir is confident of a clean Kenyan podium sweep in the women’s 1500m at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

The 22-year-old qualified for the global showpiece after winning the women’s 1500m at the Athletics Kenya trials. Chepchirchir clocked an impressive 4:05.09 to cross the finish line first ahead of Susan Ejore and Dorcas Ewoi.

The trio will team up with three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, with the hope of taking all the top three medals.

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Nelly Chepchirchir: Anything is Possible If We Work Together

Speaking after the race, Nelly Chepchirchir revealed that at the trials, she was looking forward to finishing in the top two and securing an automatic slot, which worked according to her plan.

Chepchirchir noted that now that she has made her second World Championships team, she wants to go one step better.

In her senior debut at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Nelly Chepchirchir got to the final and finished a distant fifth. She also made the team to the Paris Olympic Games, but unfortunately, could not go past the semifinal.

Having missed podium places in the two events, Nelly Chepchirchir now knows what she needs to do if she wants to join Faith Kipyegon if she intends to make a statement.

“I was just coming here to get the position because I already have the time already because going to the championship, I want to give my all because I know we have many rounds before the final. I’m just going to focus on my speed because that is an area of my training I have not worked on,” Nelly Chepchirchir said.

“I learnt how to put in the work, give my all in training and make the needed sacrifices. I have competed with many people, and I know we shall meet in Tokyo, and the most important thing is to make the final, and then we shall see what’s next. We are many and are a good team, and I believe a podium finish is possible.”

Nelly Chepchirchir 2025 Season So Far

Nelly Chepchirchir has been unbeaten in 2025 so far, and she hopes to extend the hot streak to the World Championships.

She started her season with a win in the mile road at the Adizero Road to Records before making her Diamond League debut in Doha and winning the 1500m.

Nelly Chepchirchir then claimed the win at the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, and then clocked 3:57.02 to settle for top honours in Paris. She dominated the women’s 1000m at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco before competing at the Athletics Kenya trials.

Now, with her confidence boost and knowing what she needs to work on, Nelly Chepchirchir is looking to make a mark in Tokyo, Japan.