Tanzania's Simbu Wins World Marathon in Closest Photo Finish

At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Simbu won the men's marathon in the closest finish in the event's history, edging out Germany's Amanal Petros by a photo finish with both clocked at 2:09:48. The dramatic race featured a sprint finish on the track at Japan National Stadium, with Simbu making a late surge to overcome Petros, who had led entering the stadium but ultimately collapsed across the line in second place. This victory marked Tanzania's first-ever gold medal at a world championship or Olympic event, a historic achievement for the country. The race saw a strong lead pack whittled down over the last kilometers, with notable contenders like Uganda's Abel Chelangat and Israel's Haimro Alame dropping off in the final stretch. Earlier in the championships, Frenchman Jimmy Gressier broke East African dominance by winning the 10,000m, adding to the narrative of intense competition at the event. Simbu's win is a comeback from his previous podium finishes, including a 2017 world bronze and second place at the 2025 Boston Marathon.