Sports

At last! Gold for Kenya as Kipyegon reclaims 1500m title in Oregon

Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 06:11 | By
Faith Kipyegon blows a kiss after winning the 1500m final in Oregon PHOTO/AFP
Faith Kipyegon blows a kiss after winning the 1500m final in Oregon PHOTO/AFP

Kenya’s long wait for a World Athletics gold medal finally came to an end on Tuesday morning after Faith Kipyegon reclaimed the world title in Oregon.

Kipyegon, who is a double Olympic champion dashed to the homestretch to win the race in a time of 3:52.96. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay claimed silver in a time of 3:54.52 with Britain’s Laura Muir posting a season best time of 3:55.28 to take home bronze.

Kipyegon who surrendered the world title to Sifan Hassan in Doha 2019 looked unstoppable from the Heats and the way she controlled the races gave a signal to the rest of the participants that it would take something special to beat her.

Ethiopia's Hirut Meshesha (L), Kenya's Faith Kipyegon (C) and Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay compete in the women's 1500m final during the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 18, 2022. PHOTO/AFP

Her latest triumph makes her the first woman two win four global 1500m titles. Her first major gold came in 2016 when she beat Genzebe Dibaba to win gold in Rio at the Olympics and she was at her best to claim her first world title in 2017 in London. 

Kipyegon’s gold sees Kenya rise to third in the medal rankings behind hosts USA and Ethiopia. Earlier on, Kenya bagged bronze in the men’s steeplechase courtesy of Conseslus Kipruto. 

More on Sports


ADVERTISEMENT