Hellen Obiri has confirmed that she will skip the 2025 World Championships and explained the reasons behind her decision.
Many have been heartbroken following Hellen Obiri’s recent announcement that she will not be competing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Hellen Obiri has been a constant competitor at the World Championships and missing the 2025 edition of the event will certainly break many hearts but the two-time Boston Marathon champion has her reasons.
The two-time world 5000m champion pointed out that she wants to avoid the pressure of donning the Kenyan colours, especially on a global stage like that.
Faith Kipyegon, Letsile Tebogo and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will be honoured at a prestigious event in Algiers in March.
She admitted that the Paris Olympic Games were an ultimate test for her since she had an injury just before the competition and that affected her preparations. She eventually won a bronze medal for Kenya but revealed that it took a huge toll on her.
“You remember I also fell twice in the race and to manage a bronze for me was so comforting,” Obiri said as quoted by Citizen Digital.
“Back in my mind I knew I could have done better but still that podium finish was a good achievement knowing all the difficulties I went through towards the competition.”
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“I will not be going to Tokyo for the World Championships. I will of course have other races in the year but the World Championships is not part of my plans.”
She added that another reason why she will not be going to Tokyo is to give other athletes a chance to know how it feels to represent Kenya.
The 2023 New York City Marathon champion revealed that going to the Boston Marathon, she will not be thinking about making the World Championships team but she will solely be eyeing her third title.
“I have always represented my country with pride in major championships, but I feel it’s good to give others a chance because we have a number of very good younger athletes,” she revealed.
“So I’ll not be running at the Boston Marathon with a World Championships ticket in mind. I’ll not be chasing a specific record either, my plan is just to win. If I win, I will of course register a good time.”
Hellen Obiri made her full marathon debut at the 2022 New York City Marathon where she finished sixth before heading to Boston in 2023 where she won her first marathon.
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Obiri then proceeded to the New York City Marathon where she also claimed top honours before defending her Boston Marathon title in 2024.
The former world 10,000m silver medallist then claimed a bronze medal in the marathon at the Paris Olympic Games before rounding up her busy season with a second-place finish at the New York City Marathon.
