TOKYO2025: Kipyegon shares tactic that won her fourth 1500m world title

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon says it was her dream to win a fourth 1500m title at the World Athletics Championships, terming the feeling after crossing the finish line first in Tokyo as special.

Kipyegon, 31, made more history on Tuesday, 16 September, after claiming yet another world gold medal, equaling Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj’s record haul in the event.

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In a dominant show at Tokyo’s National Stadium, Kipyegon made the race her own after taking a lead straight from the gun, before surging clear to win in a time of 3:52.15.

So big was the gap she held in front, that she was almost three seconds quicker than her compatriot Dorcus Ewoi, who finished second in a personal best time of 3:54.92.

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Speaking after the win, Kipyegon, who now has a total of five world titles, said: “I just want to thank God. This was my dream - to defend my title for the fourth time, and keep making history.”

On her front-running tactic against a quality field, record-holder Kipyegon said it was one geared for more separation after a hot start.

TOKYO2025: Kipyegon becomes most successful Kenyan at World Championships with latest gold

“To be honest I knew Jessica (Hull) is a strong athlete, and also the rest of the field,” she said.

“It was anybody’s race, so I knew after crossing 400m in 62 seconds, I knew I had to keep on going because I could not go back to 65 and 66.

I just wanted to keep pushing to the finish line, and I am so happy that my tactic worked. Crossing the line first was a special moment.”

With three Kenyans in the final, Kipyegon admitted there was a good chance for a podium sweep, but that was not to be, as this year’s Diamond League winner Nelly Chepchichir finished fourth in a personal best time of 3:55.25.

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“To see my teammate on the podium was so special because I knew the three of us could do magic,” the three-time Olympic gold medalist said. “Winning gold, silver and bronze was possible, because we were all three of us there.”

After rallying Ewoi to a second-place finish in one of the 1500m heats on Sunday, 14 September, Kipyegon was once again caught in a viral moment online, after being seemingly shocked to realise the 28-year-old had won silver, rather than the bronze she had earlier assumed after the race.

Asked about her growing influence with fellow Kenyan runners in the 1500m, Kipyegon said: “Our biggest goal was to work as a team and see what was possible after the finish line, and I am glad we did that.”

Her next target is to set more history in the 5000m.