Julius Kirwa, Team Kenya’s Head Coach at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, has been named as the Betika/SJAK (Sports Journalist Association of Kenya) Coach of the Month for September, after guiding team Kenya to a historic world championships medal haul.
Kirwa’s leadership proved instrumental, as he guided Team Kenya to a spectacular total of 11 medals, seven gold, two silver, and two bronze, over the nine-day global showpiece.
Speaking after receiving the award on Thursday at Riatha House, Nairobi, Kirwa appreciated the organizers underscoring the role of the private sector towards promoting excellence on and off the field.
“This is such a pleasant surprise and quite encouraging to realize that beyond the fans, there are also private sector players who are keen to see us shine,”.
Such recognition will go a long way in giving us the much the needed momentum. Ours is to always grow the winning mentality as we focus on the next opportunity to raise our flag high.”
Beatrice Chebet won Kenya’s first medal, a gold in the women’s 10,000m, as she shook strong opposition to come home first in 30:37.61 ahead of Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Gudaf Tsegay, who finished second and third in respective times of 30:38.23 and 30:39.65.
Chebet, a double Olympic champion, later cemented her dominance by leading a Kenyan 1-2 sweep in the women’s 5000m, with Faith Kipyegon taking the silver.
Peres Jepchirchir also won a gold medal in the women’s marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:24:43. The gold rush continued with Faith Kipyegon, who won Kenya another gold medal, thanks to her exploits in the women’s 1500m.
Other athletes who secured silverware for the country included Dorcus Ewoi who secured a silver medal in the women’s 1500m, clocking a personal best time of 3:54.92, while Reynold Cheruiyot won a bronze in the mens 1500m.
Faith Cherotich claimed Kenyas fifth, a gold medal, in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, with Edmund Serem walking away with a bronze in the mens event.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Lilian Odira both struck gold in the mens and womens 800m races, respectively.
SJAK President James Waindi said that they acknowledge the increased competitiveness across the sports disciplines which is very promising as the future of sports in Kenya is very promising.
He said that Kirwa’s victory was earned against stiff competition from Nairobi City Thunder coach Bradley Ibs, KCB rugby coach Andrew Amonde and Kenya Under-20 Mens volleyball coach Luke Makuto.
Betika Marketing Executive, Marya Wachira while speaking during the handover ceremony noted the significant improvement from the last World Athletics Championships while underscoring the gap that the Betika/SJAK Coach of the month award has come in to fix.
“This performance marks a significant improvement from the 2023 Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where the team secured 10 medals including three gold, three silver and four bronze,” said Wachira.
Wachira said, “For team Kenya to have made such strides, leadership came in handy and that’s why we have made this strategic decision to have this monthly, coach of the month, award towards recognizing such outstanding leaders.”
by Anita Omwenga
