KIPYEGON WINS GOLD IN THE 1500m

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE LONDON STADIUM

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won a dramatic and brutal race to become the 1500m World Champion in 4:02.59secs, in what was compelling from start to finish. While everyone was losing their heads, Kipyegon was cool and got her tactics spot on as she calculated her move as things were changing rapidly behind her. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands was leading but just could not sustain things as she started to go backwards. American Jenny Simpson came from fourth to take the silver medal.   It was heartbreak for the home crowd as Laura Muir was just pipped on the line by South African Caster Semenya for the Bronze medal.

Kipyegon who won in Rio last year said: “I thank God today, it was a good race in London.

“I knew it would be fast, it is such a quality field. The best was going to win here. It was always going to be quick and competitive.

“I’m looking forward to celebrating this with my family.”

Simpson he silver medallist said:
“My coach has been telling me all day, ‘Be willing to run your guts out and you’ll be great’, so I did exactly what she did. The last 300m in particular I ran my guts out and it paid off.

“Having the experience is huge because having the ability to stay calm is so hard, especially at the world championships when you’re racing in a beautiful stadium like this. To come out with a medal, I think it was down to keeping my wits about me.”

Semenya who will also contest the 800m said: “I’m really happy with the bronze. Obviously a lot cannot go your way in a final, so to come out with a bronze is amazing but I was hoping for a better time.

“1500m is a tactical race, I tried to find my own space but fortunately I managed to get away with the bronze so I am happy.”