Chepchirchir targets back-to-back World Championship finals in Tokyo

Nelly Chepchirchir at the Zurich Diamond League/ HANDOUT 

The 2019 African Under-20 800m bronze medallist, Nelly Chepchirchir, is determined to stamp her authority on the global stage as she eyes consecutive 1,500m finals at the World Championships, which get underway on September 13 in Tokyo, Japan.

‎The 22-year-old made her senior Worlds debut in Budapest last year, clocking 3:57.90 to finish fifth.

‎‎Budapest saw triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon triumph in 3:54.87 with Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji (3:55.69) and the Netherlands' Sifan Hassan (3:56.00) completing the podium.

‎She also donned the national team colours at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she crashed out in the opening round.

‎Chepchirchir arrives in Tokyo in fine form, fresh from a dramatic victory at the Zurich Diamond League final on Thursday. 

‎She held nerve in the home straight to time 3:56.99, outkicking Australia’s Jessica Hull (3:57.02) and her compatriot, Linden Hall (3:57.44).‎

‎"My goal for Tokyo is to do my best. We will have to go through some rounds, so I will focus on making sure I make it through to the final," Chepchirchir said.

‎‎Tokyo will see Chepchirchir form a strong squad of four, joined by four-time world champion Faith Kipyegon, Susan Ejore and Dorcas Ewoi.

‎Chepchirchir will bank on her strong performances in 2025 to execute her plan in the Japanese capital.

‎She opened her season on the roads with a mile victory at the Adidas Adizero Road to Records meet on April 26, posting 4:23.99. ‎

‎Chepchirchir carried that momentum onto the Diamond League circuit, starting with a win in Doha on May 16 (4:05.00), edging out Ejore (4:06.27) and Britain’s Jemma Reekie (4:07.33). 

‎She followed that with a 3:58.04 victory in Rabat on May 25 before setting a season's best of  3:57.02 to claim her third victory in Paris on June 20.

‎She further showcased her range with a dominant 1,000m win in Monaco on July 11, clocking 2:29.77 to beat Wiley (2:30.71) and Australian Hull (2:30.96).‎

‎On July 22, Chepchirchir booked her ticket to the Tokyo World Championships over 1,500m after winning the speciality during the national trials held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, timing 4:05.09 ahead of Ejore (4:05.24) and Ewoi (4:08.08).

‎Reflecting on her Zurich win, she admitted the conditions had tested her resilience.

‎"Despite the weather, I feel good today, but I keep telling myself that there is nothing I can do about the challenges I need to overcome," she said.