The 2025 World Athletics Championship delivered a whirlwind of emotions for African athletes, with moments of triumph, heartbreak, and historic milestones that captivated fans worldwide. From Botswana’s electrifying relay victory in torrential rain to Ethiopia’s unexpected gold medal drought, the championship was a rollercoaster of drama and athletic prowess.

 

Botswana’s Golden Moment

Botswana erupted in celebration after their men’s 4x400m relay team stormed to a record-breaking victory, clocking an astonishing 2:57.12—the fastest time ever recorded in championship history. Battling slippery conditions and fierce competition from the United States and Jamaica, the quartet of Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, and anchor Letsile Tebogo executed a flawless race, with Tebogo’s blistering final leg sealing the gold. The victory marked Botswana’s first-ever relay gold at the World Championships, propelling the nation to a joint-fifth place finish in the medal table with two golds, one silver, and two bronzes.

 

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In a jubilant response, Botswana’s President declared a national holiday, with festivities planned across Gaborone. “This is a moment of pride for every Motswana,” said Ndori, clutching his gold medal. “We ran for our people, and we ran through the rain!” Social media buzzed with clips of Tebogo’s anchor leg, with one X post calling him “a lightning bolt in human form.”

 

Ethiopia’s Heartbreak in the 10,000m

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s storied distance-running legacy faced a shocking setback. Entering Tokyo with the world’s three fastest men in the 10,000m—Selemon Barega, Yomif Kejelcha, and Berihu Aregawi—the team was favored to continue their gold medal streak, unbroken since 1991. However, a combination of tactical missteps and a ferocious pace set by Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko led to a stunning upset. Mateiko surged to gold in 26:45.19, with Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed taking silver and bronze. Barega, the highest-placed Ethiopian, finished a distant fourth, while Kejelcha and Aregawi faded to sixth and eighth.

“We came here to win, but the race got away from us,” a visibly dejected Barega told reporters. “We’ll learn and come back stronger.” The loss sparked heated discussions on X, with some fans lamenting Ethiopia’s strategy and others praising Kenya’s resurgence in the event. “Kenya said, ‘Not today!’” one user posted, alongside a clip of Mateiko’s final lap.

 

Other African Highlights

Despite Ethiopia’s disappointment, African athletes delivered standout performances across the board. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan smashed the championship record in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.29 seconds to claim gold and cement her status as a global sprint icon. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon added another chapter to her legendary career, defending her 1500m title with a tactical masterclass, while South Africa’s Akani Simbine earned a long-awaited bronze in the men’s 100m.

The championship also saw rising stars emerge. Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai battled through the rain to secure silver in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, and Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali defended his men’s steeplechase title with a commanding performance.

 

A Continent’s Pride

With African nations collectively earning 12 medals, including four golds, the continent’s athletic depth was on full display. Botswana’s relay triumph and Nigeria’s sprint heroics provided moments of ecstasy, while Ethiopia’s rare stumble served as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictability. As the championship closed, posts on X captured the sentiment: “Africa showed up, rain or shine. This is our time!”

The 2025 World Athletics Championship will be remembered as a testament to African resilience and talent, with Botswana’s national holiday and Ethiopia’s resolve to rebound already setting the stage for the next global showdown.