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By:
Maureen Kinyanjui | |||||||||
| Posted:
Jun,13-2023 06:23:34
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World and Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon said she was surprised to break and set the world record at this stage of the year.
"This milestone came as a surprise to me. My target was to run 3:54 and set a world lead but I didn't expect the world record," she said.
She added: "The world record came sooner than expected, too early in the season. My coach told me I was in good shape and I was ready to give it a try".
The mother of one delivered a sensational performance in Florence to set a new 1, 500m world record of 3:49.11.
The 29-year-old said the fans played a big role in her lowering the time.
She added that the bell was also instrumental after she decided to peel away from the chasing pack with 400m left.
"The bell made me push harder and in the final 400m I decided I am going for the record," she observed.
The two-time Olympic champion plans to transition fully to 5000m after the Paris Olympic Games next year. The record-breaking athlete confirmed that she will compete in the 5000m next weekend at the Paris Diamond League to gauge her readiness.
"I know there are very strong ladies in the 5km race but I intend to test my body as much as possible. It's long since I ran the 5000m race," she pointed out.
Kipyegon gave birth to her first daughter, Alyn in 2018 and took a 21-month break before returning to the sport.
I don't know how I made it, I didn't think about world recordFaith Kipyegon provided the standout moments at a highly memorable Wanda Diamond League meeting in the French capital on Friday night. A week after breaking the 1500m world record in Florence, Kipyegon etched her name into the record books for 5000m, winning in 14:05.20. Ahead of the race, the world and Olympic champion hadn’t made too much noise about a possible world record attempt in 5000m. It was, after all, just her third-ever race at the distance, and her first 5000m outing in eight years. But, as is always the case with Kipyegon, the 29-year-old showed no fear as she navigated her way through the race, the early pace – 2:52.31 at 1000m and 5:42.04 at 2000m – seemingly no bother for the two-time world U20 cross-country champion. Steeplechase world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech was the third and final pacemaker, leading the field through 3000m in 8:31.91. At this point, world record-holder Letesenbet Gidey led from Kipyegon with Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye, the world 5km record-holder, a few strides behind. Kipyegon took the lead with about 600 meters to go, but Gidey kept close contact. They were about six seconds outside of the world record pace, but Gidey also knew what Kipyegon was capable of. The world 10,000m champion knew that Kipyegon had the finishing speed to break Gidey’s world record. Kipyegon – now speeding up with each and every stride – hit the bell in 13:04.1, needing a final lap of about 62 seconds to break Gidey’s record. She did exactly that, covering the last 400m in 61.1 seconds to cross the line in 14:05.20 – a 1.42-second improvement on Gidey’s mark. Gidey, competing for the first time since her unfortunate episode at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, finished second in 14:07.94, the third-fastest time in history. Taye was third in 14:13.31, while the next three women – Lilian Kasait Rengerek, Freweyni Hailu and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi – all finished inside 14:24. “I didn’t think about the world record, I don’t know how I made it,” said a delighted and surprised Kipyegon. “I just focused on the green light and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race. When I saw that it was a world record, I was so surprised – I just wanted to improve on my PB, the world record was not my plan. I just ran after Gidey – she is an amazing lady. “I do not know what will be next – I’ll have to discuss it with my coach and my management,” she added. “If my body is healthy, anything is possible.”Ruto, Raila joins Kenyans in congratulating Faith Kipyegon, OmanyalaPresident William Ruto on Friday evening led Kenyans in congratulating athletes Faith Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omnayala.
President William Ruto hosts double World record holder Faith Kipyegon at State House, Nairobi.Image: PCS Kipyegon broke the 1500m World Record in Florence, Italy while Omanyala finished second in the 100 metres men's category. "Hardwork, determination and consistency has been crowned this evening. Congratulations Faith Kipyegon for shattering the 1500m World Record in Florence, Italy and writing your name in the history of athletics," Ruto said. "Kenya also salutes Ferdiomanyala for second position in 100m. Keep going," he added. Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga also shared his congratulatory message. "Faith Kipyegon, congratulations on your fantastic and spectacular feat of breaking the 1500m WORLD RECORD at the Florence Diamond League! Your run was amazing!" he said. I can finally buy my father a car, says teary KipyegonWorld record holder Faith Kipyegon on Tuesday displayed her emotional side before President William Ruto. This was after she received a house worth millions from the Kenya Kwanza government. To celebrate her exploits on the tracks Ruto awarded Kipyegon with Sh5 million and a house worth Sh6 million.
World record holder Faith Kipyegon at State House on June 13, 2023Image: PCS The President said the reward is for the two records she broke for 5,000 metres and 1,500 metres. Giving her speech at State House, a teary Kipyegon said she can now buy her father a new vehicle. "I can finally buy my father a car," an emotional Kipyegon said. Kipyegon revealed she had promised to gift her elderly father a new vehicle if she broke the world record. The promise she says will now be able to keep, with the cash reward from the government. “Thank you so much, Mr President. I’m so happy with the reward, now I can own a house in Nairobi, and with the money, I can say now I can buy my father a car. I promised him that when I broke the World Record I was going to buy him a car ...now I can fulfil my promise,” Kipyegon said Kipyegon broke two World Records in a span of one week at the Diamond League in Florence, Italy and Paris, France; she ran the 1,500 metres in a time of 3:49.11 and the 5,000 metres in 14:05.20 | |||||||||
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Source:
The Star
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