Faith Kipyegon once again etched her name in the annals of athletic history with a breathtaking performance at the Meeting de Paris, part of the Wanda Diamond League, on Sunday.
Kipyegon shattered her own world record in the 1500m, clocking an astonishing 3:49.04 in a race that will be remembered as one of the deepest and most competitive in history.
The excitement of the evening began with Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who stunned the world by breaking one of the oldest records in the books.
Mahuchikh cleared 2.10m to surpass the long-standing world record set by Stefka Kostadinova at the 1987 World Championships. Facing stiff competition from world indoor champion Nicola Olyslagers, Mahuchikh matched Olyslagers at 2.01m on their second attempts.
Olyslagers then faltered at 2.03m, but Mahuchikh soared over the bar on her second try. With victory in hand, Mahuchikh raised the bar to 2.07m and cleared it with ease, setting a new Ukrainian record.
Her final leap over 2.10m on her first attempt was the crowning achievement of an extraordinary evening.
Just under an hour after Mahuchikh’s iconic leap, Faith Kipyegon took to the track with a mission. Returning to Paris, where she had set the 5000m world record last year, Kipyegon was ready to push the boundaries of human endurance once more.
The race began at a blistering pace, with Kipyegon covering the first 800m in 2:04. Australia’s Jess Hull, positioned just behind the world and Olympic champion, stayed close as the pacemakers dropped out. Kipyegon maintained her relentless pace, completing the third lap in 60.8 seconds.
As the bell rang for the final lap, Kipyegon shifted gears, widening the gap between herself and Hull. Striding powerfully, she crossed the finish line in 3:49.04, slicing 0.07 seconds off her previous world record set last year in Florence.
Hull, not far behind, finished second with a time of 3:50.83, breaking her own Oceanian record and moving up to fifth on the world all-time list. Britain’s Laura Muir also set a national record, finishing third in 3:53.79.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, 12 women finished the race in under four minutes, underscoring the depth and quality of the competition.
Kipyegon’s performance was a testament to her incredible talent and determination. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “I knew the world record was possible because I recently ran very fast in Kenya.
I was coming here to just run my race and to see what shape I’m in to defend my title at the Olympics.”
Faith Kipyegon’s record-breaking run in Paris was not just a personal triumph but also a moment that elevated the sport of athletics.
Her relentless pursuit of excellence continues to inspire athletes around the world. As she sets her sights on defending her Olympic title, the world eagerly anticipates what new heights this extraordinary athlete will reach next.
Source: World Athletics
