Kenya’s Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang has been crowned the men’s champion as Italy’s Nadia Battocletti retains the women’s overall title as the 2025/26 World Athletics Cross Country Tour came to a conclusion.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsAthletes are ranked according to their best three cross-country performance scores achieved between September 2025 and March 2026, of which at least two had to come from World Cross Country Tour meetings.Kipsang notched up three victories at Gold level meetings on the tour, winning in Cardiff, Soria and Atapuerca.##NAJAVA_MECA_9712261##He ended the season level with Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera at the top of the standings.The two athletes were also tied on points in the cross-country world rankings. While Kwizera had the edge when it came to the total number of cross-country tour races contested, Kipsang had the head-to-head edge, having beaten Kwizera in their two clashes this season.In line with the principles of the tour regulations, the tie was split based on overall world ranking position, which gave Kipsang the victory ahead of Kwizera.Referees issue demands to Leopards chairman after reported assault in Mashemeji DerbyEritrean teenager Saymon Amanuel was third in the men’s standings.Meanwhile, Battocletti opened her cross-country season with a victory in Atapuerca. One week later, she finished runner-up in Alcobendas, but then returned to winning ways at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa.She was also victorious in her first cross-country race of 2026, winning on home soil at the Campaccio meeting in San Giorgio su Legnano.Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw, winner in Soria and Amorebieta, finished second in the standings while Kenya’s Sheila Jebet was third, replicating her position from the previous season.Harambee Starlets among 35 nations in hunt for tickets to 2028 Olympic GamesFinal standingsWomen1 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 36002 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 35653 Sheila Jebet (KEN) 35404 Dorcus Chepkwemoi (KEN) 35105 Elvanie Nimbona (ITA) 34956 Megan Keith (GBR) 3480Sabastian Sawe opens up on how he overcame injury to break marathon recordMen1 Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang (KEN) 36002 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 36003 Saymon Amanuel (ERI) 35604 Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto (KEN) 35455 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 35156 Nassim Hassaous (ESP) 3475