New Champions Crowned at TCS World 10K: Kwizera and Niyonkuru Shine

The TCS World 10K saw remarkable performances as Rodrigue Kwizera and Florence Niyonkuru emerged as champions. Kwizera broke the event record with a time of 27:31, while Niyonkuru triumphed in her debut race, finishing at 30:45. Indian athletes also shone, with Harmanjot Singh and Sanjivani Jadhav leading their categories. Discover more about their inspiring journeys and the challenges they faced during this prestigious event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 26, 2026, 14:43 IST

Emergence of New Champions

The 18th edition of the TCS World 10K, recognized as a World Athletics Gold Label Race, saw two new champions rise to prominence on Sunday. Rodrigue Kwizera, who narrowly missed victory three years ago, returned with determination to claim the title in Bengaluru.

Kwizera's Record-Breaking Performance

Kwizera took the lead at the 8-kilometer mark, with Kibet closely trailing him. The 26-year-old Burundian, a finalist in the 10,000m World Championships in Budapest earlier this year, maintained his lead to finish with a record time of 27:31, surpassing the previous record set by Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli by approximately seven seconds. This achievement marks Kwizera's fifth fastest 10K time. Kibet, aged 20, finished second with a time of 27:39, while Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich from Kenya secured third place at 27:43. Kwizera's victory earned him a total of USD 34,000, including an event record bonus of USD 8,000. Reflecting on his win, Kwizera expressed his happiness and acknowledged the challenge posed by the heat, stating, "I trained in cooler conditions in Spain, but I pushed myself after the 5K mark and was thrilled to achieve the record."

Niyonkuru's Impressive Debut

In the women's race, defending champion Sarah Chelangat faced tough competition from the outset. Brenda Jepchirchir from Kenya, who had previously set a world-leading time of 29:25 in January, initially led the pack. However, Florence Niyonkuru from Rwanda, participating in her first 10K, surprised many by maintaining her lead and reaching the 5K mark at 15:19 alongside several other runners. As the race progressed, the group narrowed down to four contenders: Niyonkuru, Jepchirchir, Ethiopian Melal Biratu, and Kenyan Judy Chepaskwony. Despite a strong start, Niyonkuru slowed towards the end but still clinched victory with a time of 30:45. Jepchirchir and Diriba followed closely behind, finishing at 30:59 and 31:03, respectively. Niyonkuru remarked on the challenging conditions and expressed her desire to return for the event record next year, crediting her recent half-marathon experience in Berlin for boosting her confidence.

Indian Athletes Shine

Harmanjot Singh and Sanjivani Jadhav led the Indian contingent at the TCS World 10K, achieving remarkable results in their respective categories. Harmanjot finished as the fastest Indian with a time of 29:13, just a second shy of the event record, earning him a prize of INR 3,00,000. Shailesh Kushwaha and Deepak Bhatt followed closely behind, clocking 29:21 and 29:52, respectively. Sanjivani continued her impressive streak, winning her third consecutive title and fifth overall with a time of 35:01. In a close contest for second place, Soniya edged out Bhagirathi, finishing at 35:31 and 35:32, respectively. Harmanjot shared his strategy of staying with the elite pack until the 5K mark, while Shailesh emphasized the importance of positioning within the international elite runners. Sanjivani expressed pride in her achievements and her desire to break the event record, while Soniya reflected on her improved preparation compared to the previous year.