TOKYO:
Faith Kipyegon produced a trademark devastating last lap to win an unprecedented fourth world women’s 1,500 metres title in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The Kenyan, also three-time Olympic champion over the distance, timed 3min 52.15sec to add another gold to an incredible medal haul that guarantees her place in the pantheon of the very best middle-distance runners.
Kipyegon’s fourth world title matched the record held by Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan who won the men’s event between 1997-2003.
Her teammate Dorcus Ewoi took silver in 3:54.92 while Australian Jessica Hull claimed bronze in 3:55.16.
“Being able to defend my title and to win a fourth gold feels really special,” the 31-year-old Kipyegon said.
“I just wanted to be myself. After setting the world record in Eugene, I said to myself, ‘I have to go to Tokyo and defend my title.’ I knew I could run it under control.”
Kipyegon, who gave birth to daughter Alyn in June 2018, added: “This sport drives me. I need to push myself in order to be the best.
“I won here in 2021 (Olympics) just after becoming a mother, so being back here, winning again, means I can show a new gold medal to my daughter.
“I want to win two golds here in Tokyo. I am taking it one race at a time and the 1,500m medal is now in the pocket. I will focus now on the 5,000m and try to win it.”
Gun to tape
Kipyegon shot out to the front of the pack in what turned out to be a true gun-to-tape performance and she never looked like ceding the lead.
With two laps to go, Kipyegon, tracked by Hull and Nelly Chepchirchir, looked comfortable as she upped the pace, causing the pack to string out.
The Kenyan took them through the bell for the final lap as the spectators at the National Stadium rose to their feet.
A spurt down the back straight opened the gap between Kipyegon and her rivals, who were left staring further into space.
She widened her lead coming off the bend into the home straight and raised her arms as she crossed the line.
Ewoi battled past Chepchirchir and Hull for silver in a last-gasp sprint.
The Australian Hull, the Olympic silver medallist in Paris last year, did well to edge the third Kenyan for bronze.
There was a degree of revenge as Hull narrowly lost this year’s Diamond League final in Zurich when Chepchirchir, who also won at the Diamond League meetings in Doha, Rabat, Paris and Monaco in a stellar season, beat her in a photo finish.
“Even though I missed a medal, I ran a personal best. This has been a great season,” said the magnanimous 22-year-old Chepchirchir.
“There’s nothing to regret. I am honoured to be on the same team with Faith Kipyegon. She is a very humble lady. She inspires and motivates us to do our best.”
Kipyegon faces a tight turnaround for the 5,000m, with heats on Thursday and the final on Saturday.
She will face some tough competition from two athletes who arguably could have been serious podium prospects in the 1,500m.
But Kipyegon’s teammate Beatrice Chebet and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay both opted for the 5,000m-10,000m double in Tokyo.
The first half of their decision paid off as Chebet won the 10,000m, with Tsegay taking bronze.