BUDAPEST (August 22) – Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, the reigning world record holder, stamped her authority in the women’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Tuesday. Clocking an impressive 3:54.87 at the National Athletics Centre, she reaffirmed her dominance in the middle-distance category, while holding a strong field to extend her undefeated streak.
Predicted Gold Medal For Faith Kipyegon
Entering the championships with her recent world record of 3:49.11 set in June, Kipyegon took the reins early in the race, setting a brisk tempo from the outset. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji was her closest competitor, maintaining a position just behind Kipyegon throughout the race.
Read more: Day 4 2023 World Athletics Championships live stream, results, schedule, startlists
Meanwhile, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands initially held back, only to surge forward and vie for a podium position in the final lap.
Kipyegon’s resilience saw her clinch her third consecutive major championship gold in the women’s 1500m. Welteji secured silver with a time of 3:55.69, while Hassan rounded off the podium, taking bronze in 3:56.00.
This victory adds another feather to Kipyegon’s illustrious cap, bringing her total medal count for the 1500m at global championships to three World Championship golds, complemented by two silvers and her double Olympic titles from 2016 and 2019.
The 29-year-old, who has set three world records this year, remains unbeaten in the women’s 1500m for two consecutive years.
In other notable performances, Ireland’s Ciara Mageean delivered a commendable run, narrowly missing the podium but setting a national record with 3:56.61. Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir clocked a personal best of 3:57.90 to finish fifth, while Britain’s Laura Muir placed sixth with 3:58.58.
Cory Ann McGee of the USA finished in the tenth spot, recording a time of 4:01.60.
PHOTO: Faith Kipyegon of Kenya wins the women’s 1500m final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships on Day 4. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for World Athletics
Women’s 1500m final results
- Faith KIPYEGON (KEN) – 3:54.87
- Diribe WELTEJI (ETH) – 3:55.69
- Sifan HASSAN (NED) – 3:56.00
- Ciara MAGEEAN (IRL) – 3:56.61 (NR – National Record)
- Nelly CHEPCHIRCHIR (KEN) – 3:57.90 (PB – Personal Best)
- Laura MUIR (GBR) – 3:58.58
- Jessica HULL (AUS) – 3:59.54
- Katie SNOWDEN (GBR) – 3:59.65
- Birke HAYLOM (ETH) – 4:01.51
- Cory Ann MCGEE (USA) – 4:01.60
- Ludovica CAVALLI (ITA) – 4:01.84 (PB – Personal Best)
- Melissa COURTNEY-BRYANT (GBR) – 4:03.31
Records and Bests:
- World Record (WR): 3:49.11 by Faith KIPYEGON (KEN) on 2 Jun 2023 in Firenze (ITA).
- Championships Record (CR): 3:51.95 by Sifan HASSAN (NED) on 5 Oct 2019 in Doha (QAT).
- World Leading (WL): 3:49.11 by Faith KIPYEGON (KEN) on 2 Jun 2023 in Firenze (ITA).
