Kenya’s triple world record holder Faith Kipyegon handed the country the first gold medal in the women’s 1500m on Tuesday in the ongoing World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
This was Kipyegon’s third world title, having won in London and Oregon in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
The two-time Olympic champion clocked 3:54.87 to win the race ahead of Ethiopia’s Diribe Werlteji, who took silver in 3:55.69.
The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan settled for bronze in 3:56.00 while another fast-rising Kenyan Nelly Chepchirchir was fifth in a personal best time of 3:57.90. Ireland’s Clara Mageean placed fourth in 3:56.61
Kipyegon holds world records in 1500m (3:49.11), Mile (4:07.64), and 5,000m (14:05.20).
In an interview, Kipyegon described the race as competitive but noted that she was happy to have won Kenya the first gold.
Two-time Olympic champion said there was no break as she starts her 5,000m program on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Abraham Kibiwott won the bronze in the men’s 3000m steeplechase despite stumbling on the barrier at the beginning of the final lap.
Abraham Kibiwott clocked 8:11.98 to place third behind gold medallist Soufiane El Bakkali (8:03.53) and Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma took silver in 8:05.44. Leonard Bett took the fourth position as Simon Koech was seventh in 8:14.37. Kenya now has three medals—gold, silver, and bronze.