Two-time Olympic 1,500m Champion Faith Kipyegon put up a sterling performance to secure Kenya’s first gold medal in the women’s 1,500 meters at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
Kipyegon clocked a time of 3:52.96 to retain the title she won in Doha in 2019 as Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay bagged silver in 3:54.52. Great Britain’s Laura Muir settled for the bronze in 3:55.26.
Ethiopian Tsegay took the early lead, charging to the front alongside compatriot Freweyni Hailu with Kipyegon tailing waiting for the opportune time to strike.
At the bell, Kipyegon laid down her marker pushing up the pace a bit and opening up the lead and Tsegay following her.
The double Olympic champion’s mark is the 10th fastest time ever and is the 2nd fastest time run in the United States, after her time of 3:52.59 at the 2022 Prefontaine classic meet.
The Victory in Oregon was Kipyegon’s fourth gold medal in the 1,500 meters, with silvers in 2015 and 2019, making her the first runner to win four medals in the event.