Dar es Salaam. Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania wrote his name into the history books by winning the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025.
His stunning victory on September 15 delivered Tanzania its first-ever gold medal at a global athletics championship.
The 33-year-old marathoner crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds (2:09:48) after a breathtaking sprint finish inside Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.
The triumph came in one of the closest marathons ever staged at the World Championships.
Simbu edged out Amanal Petros of Germany by just 0.03 seconds both men were credited with the same finishing time, but the photo finish confirmed Simbu’s forward dive at the line.
The margin of victory is considered one of the narrowest in championship marathon history.
The bronze medal went to Iliass Aouani of Italy, who clocked 2:09:53, finishing just five seconds behind the front two.
His performance added further drama to what has been described as a race for the ages.
Conditions in Tokyo were challenging, with high humidity and warm temperatures testing the endurance of the athletes.
Many pre-race favourites struggled to keep pace, and the lead group began thinning as the kilometres advanced.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, tipped as a strong contender, dropped out around the 33-kilometer mark after failing to cope with the punishing pace.
Another Ethiopian, Deresa Geleta, also faded badly in the closing stages.
For much of the race, Petros appeared in control, particularly as the runners entered the final kilometre.
He surged ahead into the stadium, seemingly on course for a famous German victory.
But Simbu, digging deep into his reserves, unleashed a furious sprint in the last 100 meters.
In a dramatic twist, he leaned across the line just ahead of Petros, securing gold in a finish that stunned spectators and athletes alike.
This was not Simbu’s first taste of success on the global stage.
He previously won bronze at the 2017 World Championships in London and finished second at the Boston Marathon earlier in 2025, signalling his consistency at the highest level.
“I made history today the first Tanzanian to win gold at a world championship,” Simbu said after the race, his joy evident as he draped himself in the Tanzanian flag.
He noted that his victory was for my country and everyone who believed in me.
The victory has been hailed as a landmark moment for Tanzanian athletics, which has long produced talented distance runners but never before celebrated a world champion.
Simbu’s triumph is expected to inspire a new generation of East African athletes.
For the marathon world, Tokyo 2025 will be remembered not only for the blistering times but also for the unforgettable photo finish that crowned Simbu champion.
It was a race that showcased courage, strategy, and sheer willpower and ended with Tanzania on top of the world.
