Middle distance runners Florence Niyonkuru and Jean Claude Nsabimana stole the spotlight and struck medals in women and men’s 10,000m at the 2025 National Track and Field Championship held at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday, July 19. Representing Sina Gerard Athletics Club, Niyonkuru continued her remarkable performance from June’s Kigali International Peace Marathon with another dominant performance.She clocked an impressive 32:23.29, more than a minute ahead of Angelique Abishatse from APR Athletics Club. Regine Ntawungurizimana, also from Sina Gerard, came close in third place. On the men’s side, Nsabimana, who plays for APR Athletics Club, bagged a gold medal after crossing the finish line first 30:9.57, overcoming teammate Emmanuel Nshimiyimana by nearly 50 seconds. Claude Twizeyimana of Nyaruguru Athletics Club followed in third, crossing the line 15 seconds behind Nshimiyimana. ALSO READ: Age is just a number: 77-year-old Rwandan marathoner says he won’t stop running These victories crowned Niyonkuru and Nsabimana as Rwanda’s newly minted national champions and positioned them among the frontrunners to represent the country at the upcoming 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September. The 5,000m events brought even tighter margins and fierce competition. In the women’s race, Emeline Imanizabayo of Sina Gerard claimed gold with a time of 16:1.50, 20 seconds ahead of Adeline Musabyeyezu from APR, while Jeanne Gentille Uwizeyimana of Police Athletics Club secured third place. In the men’s category, Sylvain Nizeyimana of APR won the race in 14:34.3, edging out Serge Nzayisenga of Police Athletics Club, who crossed the finish line 14.7 seconds later. Christopher Tuyisimire rounded out the podium with 14:57.25. ALSO READ: Niyonkuru, Muhitira win 20 km de Bugesera Sina Gerard Athletics Club were crowned overall winners of the 2025 National Track and Field Championship, thanks to strong performances from Niyonkuru and Imanizabayo. In the women’s team standings, Sina Gerard secured first place, followed by APR in second place, while Police finished in third place. In the men’s team standings, Police Athletics Club claimed top honors, with APR finishing as runners-up. Sina Gerard Athletics Club completed the podium in third position.
