Kipyegon ready to attack 1500m World Record at Monaco Diamond League

Kenya’s multiple Olympic and World 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon has her eyes set on breaking the world record when she lines up among a host of stars set to light up the Monaco Diamond League taking place on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

Just last year, Kipyegon came closest to extending that streak when she set her personal best time, a Kenyan record of 3:51.07 which was the fourth fastest time in history, but was just one second outside Genzebe Dibaba’s (3:50.07 in 2015) mark.

She returns this year having dominated the World Championships final in Oregon to win her second world title. And with two 3:52 clockings already to her name this year, the 1500m record will surely be in danger again this week if Kipyegon maintains her impressive form.

Running her second race in Monaco, Kipyegon revealed her aim of breaking the record in a track that has established a reputation as the best place to attempt a middle distance world record.

“I hope it can be possible to even break the world record. That is the only thing remaining for me to achieve,” Kipyegon is quoted on Capital Sport.

In other competitions involving Kenyans, World and Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Korir and world 1500m champion Jake Wightman will meet in the middle over 1000m to decide some bragging rights, along with new Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal and world bronze medallist Marco Arop. Ferguson Rotich, who is the Olympic silver medalist, will also join in the distance.

In the men’s 3000m, world 5000m silver medallist Jacob Krop looks a likely favourite in a big field with a range of contenders including world leader Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu of South Sudan and last year’s Diamond League final winner Berihu Aregawi. Krop will be joined by Kenya’s quartet of Daniel Simiu, Nicholas Kipkorir, Bethwell Birgen and Cornelius Kemboi.

Jackline Chepkoech and Virginia Nyambura will run for Kenya in the women’s 3000m steeplechase race.

Monaco Diamond League (Kenya's Schedule)

1000m (Men) -2114EAT

Kisasi Wycliffe Kinyamal

Ferguson Rotich

Emmanuel Korir

1500m (Women) – 2132EAT

Faith Kipyegon

3000m (Men) – 2216EAT

Daniel Ebenyo Simiu

Cornelius Kemboi

Jacob Krop

Nicholas Kipkorir

Bethwell Birgen

3000m Steeplechase (Women)

Jackline Chepkoech

Virginia Nyambura