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Two-time 1,500m Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has won Kenya her first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
The 28-year-old outpaced Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and Laura Muir of Great Britain to clinch the gold medal in a time of 3:52.96, the second fastest time at the World Championships. Tsegay bagged silver in 3:54.52 while Muir settled for bronze in 3:55.28
Kipyegon becomes the first female runner in history to win four medals at the World Championships, having bagged silver in 2015 and 2019 and gold in 2017 and 2022.
“I knew Kenyans had a lot of expectations in me so there is no way I could have let them down because they have always been supportive to me. I must admit the pressure was huge for me to deliver,” Kipyegon said following her victory.
She added: “My family has always been supportive to me in my entire career. Their support gives me the strength to give my all when I get to the track so just like last year I dedicate the gold medal to my daughter.”
Her victory extends Kenya’s medal tally at the championships to six, including one gold, three silvers and two bronze.
Earlier on, defending champion Conseslus Kipruto clinched bronze medal after finishing third in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. He clocked 8:27.92 behind Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco who won gold in 8:25.13 while Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia settled for silver in 8:26.01
Other Kenyan medalists in Oregon are; Hellen Obiri (10,000m silver), Stanley Waithaka (10,000m silver), Judith Korir (marathon silver), and Margaret Chelimo (10,000m bronze).
Comments
That's not true. Most of the athletes that were sent are pretty much average this year save for Faith kipyegon. You have to look at the consistency to determine how well they would perform. On the world stage, only Faith has been consistent. We have to be honest with ourselves, at the moment, we do not have many world beating athletes. As simple as that. Kenya will be very lucky if it gets four gold medals.With the remaining races,not any Kenyan has dominated.
No. That's just an excuse. We don't spend on our athletes. Our athletes need modern facilities to train better and predict results but we barely have these facilities. Athletes are left on their own and all we are seeing is individual effort
@ Cole, that's part of the problem. Each time Kenya performs below par,the relevant authorities get together and chart ways forward.Their key words are usually"Nurture young talent".And that costs money.Not only that,patriotism now days is not enough to keep "starving' athletes from switching allegiance to countries that would offer better pay and pecks.Right now the favored athletes to get medals in women's 3000 SC at the ongoing world championships are former Kenyans.
@juju, Its not the heat. Please note that very few Kenyan athletes who are representing the country have posted impressive times in their respective disciplines.That's the major factor.You cannot run 8.20 in men's steeplechase,and expect a medal when four or five from other counties fair better.Point being, anybody who has better times than you stands abetter chance of winning...
Majority of the "elite athletes" do participate on private races with their agencies, thy avoid representing the country coz the government doesn't give F#@$k about them ...Ex from facilities to pay(highly taxed) to reception??..its terrible...The ministry doesn't do much with them, If they're not appreciated why bother race????
Congratulations. Poor show coz of zero investment by govt and AK. In this age they train on dirt, dirt stadia nationwide, roads which are unsafe, a few like Chespol have bit hit by vehicles while training. American high school have better facilities, like track. Rewards by Kenya are so low. No incentive.
Congratulations! Kenyans are underperforming due to the extensive heat that their bodies are not accustomed to … keep fighting!