| PHOTO: | Faith Kipyegon (L) of Kenya and Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia compete during the women's 5000m final at the Diamond League Athletics Meeting of Paris, in France, June 9, 2023.
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By:
TONY MBALLA
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| Posted:
Jun,14-2023 02:15:31
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Kenya's track queen Faith Kipyegon has lavished coach Patrick Sang with praise, saying he inspired her to the two world records she set in one week.
The sensational athlete who has lately electrified the globe with her sublime form said Sang gradually moulded her into a formidable force on the track.
“I have a lot to thank him for. He has done so much to steer me to the heights that I didn't expect to reach in my career,” Kipyegon said.
"We've come a long way together and I must applaud him for believing in me and trusting in my abilities to succeed. I owe my success to him," Kipyegon said.
Sang, a former Olympic silver medalist, also happens to be the magic behind the vintage performances of double Olympic marathon champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge.
He has been meticulously honing the skills of both luminaries under the Global Sports Communication banner.
Kipyegon remained coy about her next move, saying that she must first hold a meeting with her coach and the management to chart the way forward.
“I have to hear from my coach and my management to know what I will be pursuing next,” she remarked.
Her remarks come a couple of days after she stole the international headlines with a masterclass act at the Paris Diamond League.
A week after smashing the 1,500 meters world record in Florence Italy, the 29-year-old pulled off yet another sublime performance to shatter the world 5,000 mark on Friday.
Competing in the distance for the first time in eight years, Kipyegon triumphed over world record-holder Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in the landmark conquest.
With about 200m to go, Kipyegon blazed away from her Ethiopian nemesis with an ambitious kick to breast the tape in 14:05.20.That was after a blistering pacemaking by compatriot Beatrice Chepkoech, the steeplechase world record holder.
Gidey emerged second in 14:07.94 ahead of countrywoman Ejgayehu Taye who wrapped up the top three in 14:13.31.
Kipyegon, a double Olympic and world champion over 1,500m, said breaking the record had not crossed her mind for a single moment as she lined up to start the race.
She ecstatically collapsed in a mound of joy, entirely bewildered after glancing at the giant screen that beamed off the time she had posted.
"I still can't figure out how I pulled it off. I planned to see how much I could achieve in the race after staying out the distance for a long time. I was stunned when I realised I had broken the world record," Kipyegon said.
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Source:
The Star
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