Faith Kipyegon cemented her legacy as one of the all-time greats by storming to a historic fourth title in the women’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 31-year-old Kenyan clocked 3:52.15 at the Japan National Stadium on Tuesday, claiming a fifth consecutive gold in the event.
Kipyegon equalled Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj – the men’s 1500m world record holder – as only the second athlete in history to claim four world titles over the distance.
“I just want to thank God,” Kipyegon told BBCSport.
“I knew I was capable of defending my world title after breaking the world record [earlier this year]. I thank God that I was strong today.
“I just wanted to run comfortable without pushes and falls, because I was a little bit scared seeing people falling. I just wanted to be by myself and run my race.”
Having already secured her third consecutive Olympic triumph last year, this latest victory marked a third successive world title for Kipyegon.
She controlled the race from the outset, before accelerating decisively on the final lap to leave her rivals trailing. The world record holder has now remained unbeaten across the last five global finals, and excluding heats, has not lost a 1500m race for more than four years.
Dorcus Ewoi ensured a Kenyan one-two, achieving a personal best of 3:54.92, while Australia’s Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull 3:55.16 settled for bronze.
