The silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships in Athletics defined the international career of Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet. Born in Kapchorwa on 28 March 1984, she established herself as a consistent performer on the global stage through a series of podium finishes and multiple national records in long-distance running events.
Early Career and Resumption
Kibet began her trajectory by winning a silver medal in the 1500 metres at the 1999 World Youth Championships. Following this success, she stepped away from competition to marry Erastus Limo and focus on family life. Her return to professional athletics occurred in 2004. Based in Iten, she began training under the guidance of Italian coach Renato Canova, which facilitated her advancement to the international level by 2005.
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The athlete frequently challenged for top honors throughout the late 2000s. She secured a bronze medal at the 2006 African Championships and repeated this feat at the 2007 All-Africa Games. Her most significant outdoor achievements arrived in 2009 and 2011, where she claimed consecutive silver medals in the 5000 metres at the World Championships. Additionally, she earned silver in the 5000 metres at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi.
Record Setting and Competitive Near-Misses
Kibet set a Kenyan indoor record of 4:07.46 in the 1500 metres at the 2008 BW-Bank Meeting. That same year, she set another national indoor record of 8:41.82 during the World Indoor Championships, where she finished fourth. Despite her accomplishments, she narrowly missed podium spots on several occasions, including fourth-place finishes at the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Extended Athletics Profile
During the 2012 season, she demonstrated versatility by competing in the Diamond League circuit, achieving top-three finishes in Doha, Monaco, and Lausanne to rank third overall. She also transitioned successfully into longer road races, winning the Dam tot Damloop 10-mile race in 51:42 and securing a victory at the BOClassic. Her personal bests include 14:31.91 in the 5000 metres and 30:47.20 in the 10,000 metres.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 March 1984, Kapchorwa
- Primary Event: 5000 metres
- Coach: Renato Canova
- 1500m Indoor PB: 4:05.33 (2010)
- 5000m Outdoor PB: 14:31.91 (2010)
- 10,000m PB: 30:47.20 (2009)
- Dam tot Damloop win: 2012
Questions readers ask
Which major championships did Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet win a silver medal in?
She won silver in the 5000 metres at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships in Athletics, as well as at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Did Kibet participate in the Olympic Games?
Yes, she competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she finished fourth in the 5000 metres.
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