Faith of Kipyegon wins Kenya its first gold at World Championships

Double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has bagged Kenya her first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA.

Kipyegon who took silver in 2019 reclaimed her world title after dominating the 1500m race crossing the finish line in 3:52.96, the second fastest time at the World Championship.

Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia took silver in 3:54.52 while Laura Muir of Great Britain clinched bronze in 3:55.28

Kipyegon becomes the first woman in history to win four medals at the World Championships having bagged silvers in 2015 and 2019 and gold in 2017 and 2022.

The 28-year-old victory has stretched Kenya’s medal tally at the championships to six; one gold, three silvers and two bronze.

Earlier on, defending champion Conseslus Kipruto settled for a bronze after finishing third in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

Kipruto who was gunning for a third consecutive title clocked 8:27.92 to cross the finish line third behind Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco who won gold in 8:25.13 as Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia settled for silver in 8:26.01

Other Kenyans in the race; Abraham Kibiwott finished fifth while Leonard Bett ranked 15th after falling.

Other Kenyan medallists in Oregon are; Hellen Obiri (10,000m), Stanley Waithaka (10,000m) and Judith Korir (marathon) who bagged silver as Margaret Chelimo (10,000m) won bronze.