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Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, as the biggest winner and earner among Kenyan athletes. This is after she won the 10000m and 5000 gold medals, taking home two of the highest prizes in the competition.
The World Athletics paid out $70,000 which is equivalent to about Sh9.03 million for the gold medal. This means that for her two gold medals, Chebet returned with Sh18.06 million cash money. In addition to this, she will receive Sh3 million for each of her gold medals from the government of Kenya, taking her earnings to over Sh24 million.
Her friend and closest rival Faith Kipyegon was also a top earner in Japan. Kipyegon who the gold medal in the 1500m race, pocketing Sh9.03 million from World Athletics. She also scooped the silver medal in the 5000m race which earned her $35,000 which is equivalent to about Sh4.5 million for a combined total of Sh13.53 million.
In addition to these earnings, Kipyegon also earned Sh2 million from the government of Kenya. This will take her total earnings to Sh15.53 million.
Being two of the top athletes from Kenya in the competition, it is highly likely that Kipyegon and Chebet will pocket additional millions from endorsements by corporate entities. For example, Kipyegon is known to have a working relationship and endorsement with telecommunications firm Safaricom.
Other major winners in the global competition were Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Lilian Odira who won gold medals in the male and female 800m races. The two received Sh9.03 million each from World Athletics and an addition Sh3 million each from the government of Kenya.
This means that Wanyonyi and Odira will each bank Sh12.03 million from their exploits in Tokyo. Peris Jepchirchir who won the gold medal in the women’s marathon race will pocket a similar amount as will Faith Cherotich who won the 3000m steeplechase race.
Those who won bronze medals including Edmund Serem in the 3000m men’s steeplechase, Dorcas Ewoi in the 1500m race and Reynold Chruiyot in the 1500m men’s race will each take home Sh2.8 million from World Athletics and Sh500,000 each from the government of Kenya.
Faith Kipyegon: I am winning because of my husband’s love and support
