Jepchirchir pips Assefa to world marathon title in Tokyo

Peres Jepchirchir pipped Tigist Assefa to win the marathon title after a sprint finish at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Sunday (14).

The pair were locked in battle until the race reached the Japan National Stadium for the final stretch. Assefa took the lead down the back straight of the track, but Jepchirchir responded with a fierce kick off the final bend and she strode to victory in 2:24:43, adding this title to the Olympic gold she won in Japan in 2021.

Assefa followed her over the finish line in 2:24:45 to add to her Olympic silver from Paris.

Julia Paternain clinched bronze – becoming Uruguay’s first ever world medallist. The previous best placing for the nation at the World Championships was ninth.