Tokyo World Championships: Faith Kipyegon remains untouchable over 1500m

Four laps of the track, a fourth straight world title and one undisputed boss. In a packed Tokyo National Stadium on Tuesday, Faith Kipyegon added another golden line to an already regal record. Celebrating with four fingers raised at the finish, the Kenyan claimed another global 1500m title in 3:52.15, confirming that she has ruled the distance for almost a decade. No one expected Kipyegon to be there just to make up the numbers. True to form, the middle-distance queen went to the front and picked her moment: with 700 metres to go, she launched an irresistible acceleration.

🗼 #WCHTokyo25 | 🇰🇪 Legend Faith Kipyegon crowned 1500m world champion in a blistering time 💥

France's Sarah Madeleine finishes eighth after taking a second off her personal best 🔥

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Down the final straight, the Kenyan icon could only pull clear on her own, leaving her rivals to fight over the scraps. With this fourth world title, Faith Kipyegon strengthens her status as an extraordinary athlete. Already the world-record holder (3:48.68), set in July, she continues to write a story that goes well beyond the statistics. Behind the star, Kenya placed two more finalists. Dorcus Ewoi took silver in 3:54.92, while Nelly Chepchirchir (3:55.25) finished just off the podium. Australia's Jessica Hull, who stayed attached to the brutal pace for a long time, secured bronze in 3:55.16. Three Kenyans in the top four: proof of total collective dominance.

“I want to win two gold medals here in Tokyo“

“ Being able to defend my title and win a fourth gold medal is really special, the four-time world champion said in the mixed zone. I just wanted to be myself. After breaking the world record in Eugene, I told myself: ‘I have to go to Tokyo and defend my title.’ I knew I could manage it under control. This sport motivates me. I need to push myself to be the best. I won here in 2021, at the Olympic Games, just after becoming a mother, so coming back here and winning again means I can show my daughter another gold medal. I want to win two gold medals here in Tokyo. I take one race at a time, and the 1500m medal is now in the bag. I’ll now focus on the 5000m and try to win it.” A shot at the double on Saturday at 2:29 p.m.? The duel with her compatriot and friend Beatrice Chebet promises to be epic.

French fortunes swing between shadow and light

While Agathe Guillemot failed to make the semi-finals, bringing her Japanese campaign to an early end, the final offered a welcome flash of French colour. Sarah Madeleine finished eighth in 3:58.09, smashing her personal best of 3:59.06. Reaching the final in a race of stratospheric quality already feels like a landmark performance. “ A personal best in a World Championships final, I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better, the Paris-area runner told france.tv. I’m where I want to be. Thank you to my whole team. There were moments when I didn’t trust myself enough (during the race), but it’s all positive. I’m very proud of myself; I raced three times in three days. I love the head-to-head racing, I love the show, and I can’t wait for what comes next. I still have a long career ahead of me. I’m gaining experience and confidence, and nothing is impossible. I just need to improve my baseline time and then I’ll be much more competitive.” At 25, she became only the second Frenchwoman since 2005 to reach a 1500m final.

A notable absentee

This final also took place without one of the leading contenders. Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji, the 2023 world silver medallist, was provisionally suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport over an alleged anti-doping rule violation. A case that leaves a bitter taste, but does nothing to diminish Kipyegon's authority as an undisputed queen.