Alphonce Felix Simbu made history on Monday (15), becoming the first Tanzanian athlete to win a global title with his thrilling victory in the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
In a race that will be remembered for decades, the 32-year-old edged Germany’s Amanal Petros by just 0.03 seconds — the narrowest winning margin ever in a championship marathon. Both were timed at 2:09:48, but Simbu’s devastating sprint in the final 30 metres secured the gold.
Today means celebrations in Tanzania. We have written new history as a country. It was my dream. I am at peace. It is about discipline, training and never giving up.
It was a reward for years of persistence. A world bronze medallist in 2017, Simbu had endured several near misses since. “After 2017 I have been trying to win another medal but failed at it,” he admitted. “Last year Paris was a challenge. This year I told myself I would try my best. I trained in different weather and on different surfaces — even hills — and it made the difference.”
Petros, who thought he had secured the title when he surged inside the stadium with 200m to go, accepted silver with a mix of disbelief and determination. “I was so sure I was winning — he surprised me. He kicked like crazy,” he said. “I accept I lost today but tomorrow I can win. This silver gives me energy and motivation.”
Italy’s Iliass Aouani took bronze in 2:09:53, describing it as the result of perseverance: “Behind this medal are a lot of frustrations, a lot of bad races, missed opportunities.”
Duplantis Soars to New Heights
If Simbu’s victory was about grit, Mondo Duplantis’s latest feat was pure domination. The Swedish pole vault star broke his own world record for the 14th time, soaring over 6.30m to secure his third world title.
“It’s better than I could have imagined,” he told the Tokyo crowd. “To give you guys this world record is amazing.”
The achievement carried personal meaning, too. “The last time I was here, I won my first Olympic gold in an empty stadium. I wanted to leave Tokyo this time by giving something special. I knew I had the record in me, and I’m glad it worked out.”
Kambundji Stuns Hurdles Field
Ditaji Kambundji, long overshadowed by her sister Mujinga, produced the race of her life to win the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.24 — a huge personal best and the biggest upset of the championships so far.
Against a stacked field that included Olympic champion Masai Russell, world record-holder Tobi Amusan, and the consistent Grace Stark, the 23-year-old Swiss got the perfect start and never looked back.
It’s crazy. I knew I had it in me. Getting a personal best is nice, but all that mattered today was the title. It’s amazing to be world champion.
She also acknowledged her sister’s influence: “We definitely have a good relationship with this track. I know she will be thrilled. Our bond is really special, and I wanted to bring home something incredible.”
Rogers Joins the 80-metre Club
Canada’s Camryn Rogers underlined her status as the best in the world with a second consecutive world title in the women’s hammer throw. After opening with 78.09m, she unleashed a sensational 80.51m in round two — a mark that makes her the second-best in history.
I first picked up a hammer in 2012. I just couldn’t think of any time in my life where I’d felt more powerful. Today, I think of my 12-year-old self and how proud she would be
Her idol, Anita Wlodarczyk, finished sixth but congratulated her personally. “She gave me a hug and said, ‘welcome to the 80-metre club’. My whole heart just exploded,” Rogers said.
China’s Zhao Jie took silver with a personal best 77.60m, while teenage compatriot Zhang Jiale secured bronze with 77.10m. “This was a final when dreams come true,” Zhao said.
A Day of History and Surprises
From Simbu’s lung-bursting marathon finish to Duplantis’s record-breaking vault, from Kambundji’s surprise sprint hurdles triumph to Rogers’s milestone throw, Monday in Tokyo delivered a feast of athletics drama. It was a day that celebrated not just medals, but moments — the breakthroughs, the disbelief, and the dreams realised on the world stage.
