Reigning world under-20 1500m champion is making bold adjustments to his competitive calendar as he gears up for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
In a decisive shift, the 20-year-old Kenyan has announced plans to minimize his appearances next year, marking a significant change from his 2024 season, which featured him in five high-stakes Diamond League meetings.
Reflecting on his recent performances and eyeing Tokyo, Cheruiyot believes fewer races on the elite circuit will sharpen his focus for the upcoming world championship.
«This year, I was featured in five Diamond Leagues. For 2025, I have to minimize my appearances to put more focus on the World Championship preparations,” he said as per
Cheruiyot’s 2024 Diamond League journey was marked by strong showings, starting with a third-place finish in Doha, where he ran 3:32.96, just behind compatriots Brian Komen and Timothy Cheruiyot.
His form remained solid across other events, with highlights including a fourth-place finish in Lausanne at 3:30.88 and a respectable sixth place at the Prefontaine Classic mile in 3:48.59.
However, he admits that these back-to-back competitions were physically demanding and that focusing on fewer, strategically timed races could provide the edge he needs for the world stage.
In recent years, Cheruiyot has consistently demonstrated his potential on the international circuit.
At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he gained valuable experience, finishing eighth with a time of 3:30.78.
“Budapest gave me enough experience which I hope will be instrumental for Tokyo,” he shared, highlighting the lessons learned from competing alongside the world’s best, including Britain’s Josh Kerr, who took gold in Budapest with a blistering 3:29.38.
Cheruiyot’s strategic shift in his 2025 schedule is underscored by his early-season focus on endurance.
He started preperations by participating in Kenya’s cross-country meetings, part of Athletics Kenya’s cross-country series, to bolster his base strength and stamina.
“The 2024 season has been good to me. Now focus shifts to the 2025 season which is packed with events. I am currently keen on the AK cross-country series before going into full training,” Cheruiyot explained.
Cheruiyot’s move to limit his Diamond League participation also shows an understanding of the high standards he must meet in Tokyo, where the men’s entry mark is set at 3:33.0—a time he has already surpassed.
Despite having achieved this standard, he is acutely aware of the intense competition he will face on the world stage.
His experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he narrowly missed out on the finals with a semifinal time of 3:35.32, left him more determined than ever to refine his approach.
In Paris, he was pitted against top contenders like Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, and Yared Nuguse, who all ran sub-3:28 times, setting the bar high for Tokyo.