Veteran athletics coach Julius Kirwa has been recognised for his pivotal role in guiding Team Kenya to a stellar performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Serving as the Head Coach of the national team, Kirwa steered Kenya to an impressive haul of 11 medals, a feat that solidified the nation’s status as a global athletics powerhouse. Kenya finished second overall in the medal standings behind the United States, securing:
- 7 Gold Medals
- 2 Silver Medals
- 2 Bronze Medals
Coach of the Month Award
In recognition of his tactical brilliance and leadership, Kirwa was awarded the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Coach of the Month for September. The award was presented during a ceremony in Nairobi, celebrating his outstanding contribution to Kenyan athletics.
Kirwa bet strong competition from other renowned coaches across different sporting disciplines to clinch the honour.
Thank you very much for recognising my work, and I hope moving forward we will work so hard so that we can capture the same
Julius KirwaHe also acknowledged the role of the private sector in supporting sports through sponsorship and called for continued recognition of coaches who often work behind the scenes.
Kenya’s Tokyo Triumph
Kenya’s performance in Tokyo reaffirmed its dominance, particularly in middle- and long-distance races. The gold medals were spread across men’s and women’s events, showcasing the depth of talent and consistency in the national squad.
Standout performances included:
- Beatrice Chebet, who won two gold medals, cementing her place among the world’s elite.
- Peres Jepchirchir, whose win earned Kenya its second gold and reaffirmed her road racing supremacy.
- Faith Kipyegon, the two-time Olympic champion, delivered a commanding victory in the women’s 1500m, adding another global title to her illustrious career.
- Faith Cherotich, who clocked 8:51.59 to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase, setting a championship record.
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who struck gold in the men’s 800m.
- Lilian Odira, who delivered a dramatic win on the final day in the women’s 800m, clocking 1:54.62 to set another championship record.
A Call for Greater Support for Coaches
Kirwa’s recognition comes at a time when many Kenyan coaches are advocating for more structured support, better training opportunities, and incentives to remain competitive on the global stage.
The Tokyo success has drawn widespread praise, with leaders, sports stakeholders, and fans alike lauding the athletes and the coaching staff for flying Kenya’s flag high on the international stage.
