The celebrated Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge will skip the 2025 World Championships, allowing space for emerging talent to take center stage.
Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge will not be part of Kenya’s squad for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, according to Athletics Kenya Youth and Development Director Barnaba Korir.
The two-time Olympic champion has opted out of the global showpiece, choosing instead to step aside and allow younger athletes the opportunity to represent the country on the world stage.
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Korir confirmed the development in a statement to Citizen Digital, revealing that Kipchoge made the decision voluntarily.
“We asked Kipchoge if he would participate, but he said he would prefer someone else to go this time round,” said Korir.
“We don’t want to pressure him although we’d have liked him to go.”
The move comes in the wake of mixed public reactions following Kipchoge’s selection for the Paris Olympic Games earlier this year.
A section of Kenyans questioned his inclusion due to his inconsistent form over the season.
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However, Kipchoge’s absence from Tokyo is not due to performance concerns but a conscious decision to step back and make room for others.
Despite the criticism, Korir highlighted Kipchoge’s enduring impact on the sport, noting that his mere presence in high-level competitions continues to motivate younger athletes.
“What many people don’t know is that his participation on the biggest stage inspires a lot of athletes. Some of these athletes are fired up when they see the greats lining up with them,” he said.
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Kipchoge has never shown a strong preference for the World Championships throughout his illustrious career.
His last appearance at the event was in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea, where he finished 7th in the 5,000m. Since then, the former world champion has largely focused on Olympic Games and major marathon circuits.
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Kipchoge has featured in every Olympic Games since Athens 2004, except for the 2012 London edition, where he failed to qualify in the 5,000m. That setback marked a turning point in his career, leading him to switch from track to road racing, and eventually, the marathon—where he has since built a legendary legacy.
Many have opted to skip the championships in favor of preparing for lucrative marathon majors such as Berlin, Chicago, and New York City, which follow shortly after the Tokyo event.
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Korir noted that Kenya’s depth in talent makes selection for global events increasingly competitive.
“Kenya has many talented athletes and it is always a headache to select three from the pool,” he said.
“However, it depends on who is willing to participate because many athletes have already opted out.”
Despite the absences, Korir assured fans that the team for Tokyo will be selected strictly on merit.
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Rankings and performances in recent competitions will guide the selection process, ensuring that only the most deserving athletes represent the country.
National trials for other categories are set to take place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Tuesday, with 150 invited athletes who have passed out-of-competition anti-doping tests eligible to compete.
Trials for the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m have already concluded, with Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Kipkurui, Beatrice Chebet, and Agnes Ng’etich securing their spots.