The 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, was a historic event that showcased the finest talents in track and field from around the globe. Kenya, the African powerhouse, emerged as a beacon of excellence at the championship. The Kenyan contingent returned home with a remarkable medal tally, securing 5th place in the world standings. Notably, Kenya's stellar performance was marked by an impressive haul of 10 medals - 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze.

Kenya's outstanding achievements, highlighted by the medal standings had a remarkable feat of all gold medals being won by Kenyan female athletes. The men's team experienced their worst outing in recent history, with no gold medal in any of the mens events this time round.

Kenya's Medal Tally

Kenya's performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships was nothing short of spectacular. The Kenyan athletes displayed extraordinary talent, determination, and skill, amassing a total of 10 medals. This remarkable tally comprised:

Gold: 3

Silver: 3

Bronze: 4

What sets this achievement apart is that all three gold medals were secured by Kenya's formidable female athletes. Let's take a closer look at these remarkable achievements:

Gold Medalists:

Faith Kipyegon - Women's 1500 meters (August 22)

Faith Kipyegon showcased her speed and tactical brilliance in the women's 1500 meters, securing a gold medal for Kenya. Her ability to surge ahead in the final stretch left her competitors in awe.

 Faith Kipyegon

Faith Kipyegon - Women's 5000 meters (August 26)

In an impressive display of endurance and determination, Faith Kipyegon added a second gold medal to her collection by triumphing in the women's 5000 meters.

Mary Moraa - Women's 800 meters (August 27)

Mary Moraa emerged as a rising star in Kenyan athletics, clinching gold in the women's 800 meters. Her remarkable speed and composure on the track were key to her victory.

 Mary Moraa

Silver Medalists:

Daniel Ebenyo - Men's 10,000 meters (August 20)

Daniel Ebenyo displayed outstanding endurance in the grueling men's 10,000 meters, securing a silver medal and making Kenya proud.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi - Men's 800 meters (August 26)

Emmanuel Wanyonyi's remarkable performance in the men's 800 meters earned him a well-deserved silver medal.

Beatrice Chepkoech - Women's 3000 meters steeplechase (August 27)

Beatrice Chepkoech demonstrated her mastery of the steeplechase event, claiming silver in the women's 3000 meters steeplechase.

Bronze Medalists:

Abraham Kibiwot - Men's 3000 meters steeplechase (August 22)

Abraham Kibiwot's determination and skill earned him a bronze medal in the men's 3000 meters steeplechase.

Beatrice Chebet - Women's 5000 meters (August 26)

Beatrice Chebet displayed exceptional endurance in the women's 5000 meters, securing a bronze medal for Kenya.

Jacob Krop - Men's 5000 meters (August 27)

Jacob Krop showcased his talent and determination, claiming a bronze medal in the men's 5000 meters.

Faith Cherotich - Women's 3000 meters steeplechase (August 27)

Faith Cherotich demonstrated her prowess in the steeplechase event, earning a bronze medal in the women's 3000 meters steeplechase.

African Medal Tally

Kenya was the leading African nation at the World Athletics  Championships. Kenya's exceptional performance was accompanied by notable achievements by other African nations at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Here's a brief overview of the medal tally for some prominent African countries:

Ethiopia: Ethiopia secured the 6th place in the overall medal tally, clinching a total of 9 medals - 2 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze. Ethiopian athletes showcased remarkable talent, particularly in long-distance events. Amane Beriso led Ethiopia to a 1-2 in the women's marathon.

Amane Beriso

Uganda: Uganda, known for its long-distance runners, secured the 11th place with 2 medals - 2 gold. Their dominance in the marathon event was a testament to their excellence. Uganda's Victor Kiplangat won the mens marathon race, his country’s second ever world marathon title. Team Captain Joshua Cheptegei won in the10,000m race.

Joshua Cheptegei 

Victor Kiplangat

Morocco: Morocco claimed the 15th position with 2 medals - 1 gold, and 1 bronze. Their athletes excelled in middle-distance races and field events. Olympic gold medallist Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco claimed his second consecutive world championship title in the men's 3,000 metres steeplechase.

Soufiane El Bakkali

Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso claimed the 18th position with 1 medal - 1 gold. Hugues Fabrice Zango made history on Monday by winning his nation’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships with victory in the triple jump.

Hugues Fabrice Zango

Botswana: Botswana claimed the 26th position with 2 medals - 1 silver, and 1 bronze. Botswana's athletes excelled in short races. Letsile Tebogo, Botswana, 100m silver and 200m bronze. The prodigy snatched a surprise silver in the 100m before clinching Botswana's second medal in Budapest, a bronze, in the 200m behind Noah Lyles. “This bronze medal is a bonus for me,” Tebogo said after his outstanding performance.

 Letsile Tebogo

The Rise of Female Dominance

One of the most remarkable aspects of Kenya's performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships was the unprecedented success of the women's team. Not only did they secure all three of Kenya's gold medals, but they also consistently outperformed their male counterparts. Several factors contributed to this surge in female dominance:

Investment in Female Athletics: Kenya has made significant investments in women's athletics, offering world-class training facilities, coaching, and support. This investment has allowed female athletes to reach their full potential and compete at the highest level.

Talent Pool: Kenya boasts a deep pool of female talent that excels across various events. This diversity of talent has given Kenya a competitive edge in multiple disciplines, from sprints to long-distance races.

Determination and Focus: Kenyan female athletes have displayed exceptional determination and focus. They have overcome obstacles and adversity to reach the pinnacle of their respective events, often setting new national and continental records.

Challenges Faced by the Men's Team

While Kenya's female athletes celebrated historic victories, the men's team faced unexpected challenges, resulting in their worst performance in recent memory. The men's team failed to secure any gold medals, a surprising turn of events given Kenya's historical prowess in various track and field disciplines. Several factors contributed to this unexpected outcome:

Injury Setbacks: Some of Kenya's top male athletes suffered injury setbacks in the lead-up to the championships, significantly impacting their performance. Injuries can disrupt training schedules and limit an athlete's ability to compete at their best.

Intense Competition: Men's events at the World Athletics Championships are characterized by intense competition, with athletes from around the world vying for top honors. Kenyan male athletes encountered fierce competition, making it challenging to secure gold medals.

Tactical Errors: In certain events, Kenyan male athletes made tactical errors that cost them precious seconds or meters. Athletics demands not only speed and strength but also sound strategy and execution.

Development Gaps: In some men's events where Kenya has traditionally excelled, development gaps may have emerged. Other nations may have made advancements in training techniques and sports science, narrowing the gap between Kenya and the rest of the world.

Conclusion

The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, provided an opportunity for Kenya to shine on the global stage. With a total of 10 medals - 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze - Kenya secured 5th place in the world standings and established itself as Africa's leading nation at the event. The exceptional performance of Kenya's female athletes, who claimed all three gold medals, underscored the nation's commitment to nurturing women's talent in athletics.

While Kenya's female athletes celebrated historic victories, the men's team faced unexpected challenges that resulted in their worst performance in recent history. This outcome serves as a reminder that even the most successful nations in athletics can encounter setbacks. Kenya's performance in 2023 underscores the need for continuous development and adaptation to remain competitive on the global stage.

As Kenya looks ahead to future athletics competitions, it is certain that the nation will continue to invest in and support its athletes, both male and female, in their pursuit of excellence. The 2023 World Athletics Championships will be remembered as a milestone in Kenya's athletic history, a celebration of female dominance, and a call to regroup and strategize for future success in men's events. Kenya is now 2nd on the all All-time World Athletics Championship Medal table.

 World Athletics Championship All Time Medal Table

Africa Team