After conquering the 5000m final race in the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Faith Kipyegon has revealed how patient she has been to lift two world golds.
Despite coming up against her toughest rivals, Kipyegon went on to emerge as the winner of the race, and her triumph meant that Kenya lifted her second gold in the ongoing games.
The 29-year-old record breaker fought against the Olympic champion, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the defending champion.
The three had competed in at least one other event in Hungary, and the 5000m race promised to be a spectacle as each had a point to prove in the end.
Apart from Kipyegon, Tsegay, and Hassan, world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet was a competitor, and the Kenyan finished third to lift bronze.
Another record broken
The win means that Kipyegon became the first woman to win gold in the 1500m and 5000m at the World Athletics Championship. This performance came as no surprise, as the runner had shattered records in the 1500m and the mile under 50 days before the Budapest showpiece.
Kipyegon, before the Budapest triumph, had only run the 5000m five times before setting the world record in June.
“This has been an amazing year for me. Making history, winning two gold medals in a championship is what I was dreaming of this season. I have been patient, waiting to be able to break world records and win double golds.
But my dream just came true; it is amazing. The race was not easy. It was a tactical one, but I am mentally stable and have managed to push myself,” Kipyegon told the World Athletics portal.
Race recap
Kipyegon, as has been the case in the season, displayed her trademark finish while Hassan was following closely, and Kipyegon’s compatriot, Chebet, was not giving up, although at some distance behind.
Kipyegon accelerated at great speed with 180 meters to go and finished the race in 14:53.88, with Hassan content with silver in 14:54.11 and Chebet taking bronze in 14:54.33.
The defending champion, Tsegay, had a bad day in office as she finished 13th in 15:01.13, while her teammate Ejgayehu Taye, the 10000m bronze medallist, finished fifth in 14:56.85.
