“After setting the world record in Eugene, I told myself: ‘I have to go to Tokyo and defend my title.’ I knew I could manage the race effectively,” Kipyegon explained.
TOKYO, Japan, September -Faith Kipyegon continues her reign as the queen of middle-distance running, adding to her legacy with another remarkable victory in the 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 on Tuesday, August 16th.
Long regarded as a generational talent in middle-distance running, Faith Kipyegon solidified her status by clinching her fourth world title in this event.
This season saw her not only capture gold but also break her own world record with an astonishing time of 3:48.68. Kipyegon’s impressive accolades include being a three-time Olympic champion in the same distance.
In the final, Kipyegon clocked a winning time of 3:52.15, nearly three seconds ahead of her compatriot Dorcus Ewoi, who recorded a personal best of 3:54.92 to finish in second place.
Australia’s Jess Hull secured the bronze medal, finishing in 3:55.16, narrowly beating the third Kenyan competitor, Nelly Chepchirchir, who also achieved a personal best with a time of 3:55.25.
Kipyegon’s winning time stands as the second-fastest ever recorded at the World Championships. Impressively, she now holds three of the four fastest winning times in the history of the World Championships.
“After setting the world record in Eugene, I told myself: ‘I have to go to Tokyo and defend my title.’ I knew I could manage the race effectively,” Kipyegon explained.
Her victory makes her only the second woman to win four world titles in the same track event, joining the ranks of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who holds five 100m titles.
“This sport drives me. Winning here in 2021 at the Olympics right after becoming a mother was significant, so being back here again with another gold means I can show a new medal to my daughter. I’m taking it one race at a time, and the 1500m medal is now in the pocket. I will shift my focus to the 5000m and aim for victory there,” Kipyegon added.
It is worth noting that Kipyegon finished fifth on her World Championships debut in Moscow in 2013 as a teenager.
“I am so happy to have participated in Tokyo 25, it brings back so many memories of the Olympics. The energy from my fans and spectators is incredible,” she posted in her X official account.
