1500m World record holder Faith Kipyegon has held the Kenyan flag high yet again after delivering a stunning performance at the Xiamen Diamond League, setting a new meeting record of 2:29.21 in the 1000m race.
With the stunning performance, Kipyegon not only secured a win but also placed herself at the top of global rankings for the event this season.
Kipyegon towered the race from the start, showcasing speed and endurance as is the norm in most, if not all, of her races.
Throughout the race, she maintained a strong pace, distancing herself from her competitors and crossing the finish line with a time that carved her name into the history of the Xiamen meet.
Her winning time of 2:29.21 smashed the previous meeting record and came close to the world record, set by Svetlana Masterkova (2:28.98) in 1996.
''Close call, Faith Kipyegon just misses out on the 1000m world record with 2:29.21 in Xiamen,'' World Athletics reported.
Although Kipyegon fell just short of breaking the record, her performance cements her position as one of the greatest middle-distance runners.
The newly found victory continues Kipyegon's unmatched prowess in the track field, adding to her long list of achievements, which includes multiple Olympic and world titles.
The win also signals a strong start to the 2025 season, raising anticipation for upcoming races.
Apart from Kipyegon, other Kenyans also showcased stunning performances in different races on Saturday, April 26. Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet held off Gudaf Tsegay in the 5000m race.
Chebet won the race after a classic world-leading 14:27.12 for the win in the Xiamen Diamond League.
Another athlete who made history was Agnes Ngetich, who became the first athlete to break 30 minutes in a women-only 10km race on Saturday, clocking 29:27 at the Adizero Road To Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
“I’m so excited, I didn’t expect this. Last year, I missed it by two seconds, so I came back today to attempt again. I’m proud of myself,'' an excited Ngetich said.
