BUDAPEST: Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon won a historic third world 1500m gold on Tuesday and although Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim missed out on a fourth crown, he became the first man to win five medals in the event.
Kipyegon produced an imperious front-running performance to add to her 2017 and 2022 titles, her face creasing in joy as realization of her feat struck home.
Sifan Hassan never landed a punch and once again, as at the Tokyo Olympics, had to make do with bronze. For Kipyegon, 29, it crowned an annus mirabilis having already broken three world records. “I told myself, ‘You are the strongest and just keep going’,” said Kipyegon. “I was chasing history today and I was chasing this title.
I have done it.” Barshim tried to rouse the crowd at the National Athletics Center as he went for his third and final attempt at 2.36m as the women’s 1500m final reached its final stages.