Faith Kipyegon Wins Kenya's First Gold in Oregon

  • By Washington Mito on 19 July 2022 - 6:48 am
    An image of Faith Kipyegon at the World Championships in Oregon.
    An image of Faith Kipyegon at the World Championships in Oregon.
    COURTESY

  • Faith Kipyegon has won the first gold medal for Kenya in the ongoing World Championships in Oregon, USA.

    Kipyegon emerged the victor in the 1,500m race after clocking 3:52.96 minutes.

    Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia and  Laura Muir of Britain won silver and bronze after crossing the finish line 3:54:52 and 3:55:28 respectively.

    Kenya's Judith Korir (R), Ethiopia's Gotytom Gabreselase (M) and Isreal's Lonah Salpeter (L) celebrating their impressive performances at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon on July 18.
    Kenya's Judith Korir (R), Ethiopia's Gotytom Gabreselase (M) and Isreal's Lonah Salpeter (L) celebrating their impressive performances at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon on July 18.
    World Athletics.org

    After her sterling display, Kenyans congratulated the athlete for bagging the first gold for the country at the event. 

    The race took place at 5:20 am on Tuesday, July 19, East African Time.

    "Congratulations Faith Kipyegon for winning our first gold medal in the 1,500m finals at Oregon, USA, becoming the first female athlete to win four 1500m gold medals. You are now a legend," Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale stated.

    "It's a Gold for Kenya. A well deserved win. Congratulations Faith Kipyegon for doing the country great," Kenya Kwanza Principal, Musalia Mudavadi echoed.

    With her latest medal, Kipyegon joins the legends who have won four medals at the World Championships.

    She won gold in London (2017), Silver in Beijing (2015) and Doha (2019).

    Earlier, Conseslus Kipruto won a bronze medal in the 3,000m men's steeplechase after finishing third behind Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia respectively.

    Kenya's performance at the WC has been a concern for the past four days after the athletes failed to impress in races that they have dominated over the years.

    In the women's marathon, Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia edged out Judith Jeptum Korir who bagged the silver medal. 

    On the other hand, Kenyan star Ferdinand Omayala was knocked out of the 100m finals after he emerged fifth in the semi finals.

    Judith Korir of Kenya
    Kenya's Judith Jeptum Korir in action at the 2022 World Athletics Championships on Monday July 18.
    World Athletics.org