African athletes delivered a series of breathtaking performances at the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon, leaving an indelible mark on one of track and field’s most prestigious events.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet made history by becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the 5,000 metres, setting a stunning new world record of 13:58.06.
The record-breaking feat electrified the crowd and reaffirmed Chebet’s place among the greats of long-distance running.
Adding to Kenya’s dominance, Faith Kipyegon once again proved unbeatable in the 1,500 metres, shattering her own world record with a time of 3:48.68.
Her emphatic performance confirmed her continued supremacy in the middle-distance category and solidified Kenya’s stronghold in women’s athletics.
In the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase, Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi, originally from Kenya, produced the third-fastest time ever recorded in the event.
Her blistering 8:45.25 finish placed her just behind Uganda’s Olympic gold medallist Peruth Chemutai, who continues to inspire with her championship pedigree.
Field events also witnessed African excellence.
Nigeria’s Chuku Enekwechi set a new African record in the shot put, launching a throw of 22.10 metres. He secured third place in a fiercely contested event, finishing behind American powerhouses Joe Kovacs and Roger Steen.
In the sprints, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo stunned the field with a world record-breaking run in the men’s 200 metres, clocking 19.76 seconds in a dazzling display of speed and control.
Meanwhile, Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d’Ivoire clinched third place in the women’s 100 metres, finishing in 10.90 seconds and adding to her legacy as one of Africa’s premier sprinters.
The Prefontaine Classic’s golden anniversary proved to be a showcase of African brilliance, with athletes across the continent demonstrating world-class talent, rewriting records, and inspiring a new generation of champions.
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