Dorcus Ewoi: 5 Things You Need to Know on Kenya’s 1500m World Athletics Championships 2025 Silver Medallist

On Tuesday night, Dorcus Ewoi etched her name into the history books with a stunning silver medal performance in the 1500m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The Kenyan middle-distance runner, who once battled through the collegiate circuit in the United States, has now emerged as one of the brightest stars on the global stage.

Pulse Sports looks at five things you need to know about Ewoi’s journey, her rise to prominence, and what makes her one of the most exciting athletes to watch.

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Ewoi was born on October 2, 1996, in Kitale, Kenya, as one of nine siblings in a Turkana family.

Growing up in a rural part of Kenya, she developed her early running talent on dirt roads, balancing schoolwork and training. She attended St. Francis Girls High School, where she began to excel in athletics and discovered her passion for the middle distances.

Despite coming from a region with limited resources, Ewoi’s perseverance set her apart.

She quickly became a standout athlete at the high school level, catching the attention of scouts from the United States. This opportunity would change her life and allow her to refine her talent at a higher competitive level.

Ewoi moved to the U.S. to join South Plains College in Texas, where she ran for the Lady Texans.

She wasted no time in making an impact, winning the NJCAA indoor mile championship in 2019 and repeating the feat in 2020 before COVID-19 shut down college sports.

After transferring to Campbell University, she took on NCAA Division I competition, where the level of intensity pushed her to become even better.

She qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2022 and 2023, placing fifth in the 800m final in Austin with a strong 2:02.13 finish.

It provided her with consistent high-level competition, professional coaching, and exposure to international racing tactics, skills that have translated into her professional success.

In 2024, Ewoi signed with the Puma Elite Running Team, a major turning point in her career. Almost immediately, she began to lower her personal bests, dropping her 800m time to a blazing 1:58.19 by July.

Her most notable breakthrough came when she stunned Olympic champion Athing Mu at the Holloway Pro Classic, an upset that signaled she was ready to compete with the world’s best.

That same year, she also captured the Penn Relays Olympic Development 800m title, further cementing her status as a rising star.

Tokyo 2025 marked Ewoi’s debut at the World Championships representing Kenya, and she did not disappoint.

In a career-best 3:54.92, she surged past Australia’s Jessica Hull in the final stretch to secure silver and complete a Kenyan 1-2 finish alongside legend Faith Kipyegon.

This race was more than just a medal — it was a statement that Kenya has a new star to carry the torch in middle-distance running as Kipyegon enters the later stages of her career.

Ewoi’s performance also hinted at her potential to challenge for gold in future championships.

For Kenyan fans, this was a moment of pride as three women — Kipyegon, Ewoi, and Nelly Chepchirchir — finished in the top four, showcasing the depth of Kenyan talent in the event.

Away from the track, Ewoi is a woman of deep faith and is known for her humility and focus. At Campbell University, she majored in clinical research, a sign of her academic dedication alongside athletics.

She has openly credited her Christian beliefs as a source of strength and motivation during the highs and lows of her career. This mindset has allowed her to stay grounded while navigating the pressures of professional athletics.

Looking ahead, Ewoi is expected to be a major contender for the Paris 2028 Olympic Games. With her rapid improvement and competitive drive, she has the potential to become one of Kenya’s next great champions.