Faith Kipyegon underlined her status as one of the all-time greats of distance running by sealing a historic 1500m/5000m double at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Saturday.
After claiming a third world 1500m title on Tuesday, Kipyegon delivered another masterclass, this time in the 5,000m, to win her second gold in the Hungarian capital.
The 29-year-old bided her time and produced a perfectly calm last lap for the win in 14min 53.88sec.
Dutch rival Sifan Hassan claimed silver in 14:54.11, with another Kenyan, Beatrice Chebet, taking bronze (14:54.33).
Ethiopia’s 10,000m world champion Gudaf Tsegay shot out into the lead, splitting the field immediately.
Teammate Ejgayehu Taye took up the front running as Kipyegon was surrounded by two of their teammates as the two distance powerhouses from east Africa worked on their race tactics.
The Ethiopian surge eased, Kipyegon and compatriot Lilian Kasait Rengeruk moved to the front of the pack with eight laps left, Hassan sat three off the back.
Tsegay was back in front to lead the field with four laps remaining and once again spurted down the far straight, causing Hassan to move away from the absolute tailenders.
Hassan was on Kipyegon’s shoulder as the bell rang for the final 400 metres.
Stride for stride, they accelerated away, chased by Chebet, the rest of the field trying desperately to stay with the front runners.
Coming into the home straight, Kipeygon kicked, eyes fixed on the big screen situated just beyond the finish line, and held on for a fantastic victory.
The victory underlined Kipyegon’s dominance this season, especially given that the field contained six of the 10 fastest women of all time.
Also a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, Kipyegon has this year set three world records in the 1500m, 5,000m and mile.
