Kenya’s middle-distance sensation Faith Kipyegon once again proved her dominance in the women’s 1500m, securing a gold medal at the Rome Diamond League on Friday.
Despite erratic pacing during the opening three laps, which hindered her attempt to break her own world record of 3:49.04 set earlier this year in Paris, Kipyegon finished strong, clocking a time of 3:52.89.
The race, held at the Golden Gala in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, saw Kipyegon fend off strong challenges from Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu and Birke Haylom, who finished in second and third with times of 3:54.16 and 3:54.79, respectively.
Kipyegon’s victory at the venue where she set her first world record solidified her status as the top competitor in her field.
“I am satisfied with the pace and with how the race went,” Kipyegon said post-race. “It was all about qualifying for the Diamond League final, about getting the points. I enjoyed the race, but I did not see the time.”
Her focus remains on consistently performing well and earning points to qualify for the prestigious Diamond League final.
Other Highlights from the Rome Diamond League
The men’s 5000m race, originally set as a world record attempt, turned into a thrilling competition, with Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet taking the win in a time of 12:51.07.
Gebrhiwet narrowly edged out his compatriots Yomif Kejelcha, who finished second in 12:51.25, and Selemon Barega, the 2021 Olympic 10,000m champion, who secured third place with a time of 12:51.39.
In the men’s 400m, Zambia’s Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga held off a late surge from Grenada’s Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champion, to win with a time of 43.99 seconds. James finished second in 44.30 seconds, showcasing a tight race to the finish line.
Winfred Yavi of Bahrain nearly broke the women’s 3000m steeplechase world record, clocking a world-leading time of 8:44.39, just 0.07 seconds shy of the record set by Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech in 2018.
Yavi’s performance, the second-fastest time in history, set a new Asian record. Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai also put on a remarkable display, finishing second in a national record time of 8:48.03, which places her third on the world all-time list.
Reflecting on her close call with the world record, Yavi expressed both disappointment and determination. “I looked at the time after the race and I went ‘oh, no!’” Yavi said.
“I was really expecting that record and I was going for it. I definitely feel I should break it, and I believe it will happen. I need to work even harder, and I am planning to have another go at it before the end of the season.”
The Rome Diamond League once again highlighted the extraordinary talent in athletics, with Kipyegon, Gebrhiwet, Samukonga, and Yavi all delivering standout performances.
As the season progresses, these athletes continue to demonstrate their potential to break records and achieve even greater success on the world stage.
