Kipyegon finished in a time of 3 minutes 52.15 seconds at Japan National Stadium on 16/9, almost three seconds ahead of compatriot Dorcus Ewoi (3 minutes 54.92 seconds). Jess Hull of Australia took bronze in 3 minutes 55.16 seconds, while another Kenyan, Nelly Chepchirchir, finished fourth with a personal best of 3 minutes 55.25 seconds.

Faith Kipyegon wins the women's 1,500m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on 16/9/2025. Photo: *Reuters*

Kipyegon, the world record holder in the 1,500m and the mile, and former 5,000m record holder, lived up to her reputation as the queen of middle-distance running.

This is Kipyegon's fourth world 1,500m title, following victories in London in 2017, Eugene in 2022, and Budapest in 2023. She is also a five-time Diamond League champion in the event and an Olympic gold medalist in Rio in 2016, Tokyo in 2020, and Paris in 2024.

"After setting the world record in Eugene, I told myself I had to come to Tokyo and defend my title. I knew I was strong enough to control the race," Kipyegon said. She becomes only the second athlete to win four world titles in the same event, after sprinting legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (five-time 100m champion).

Faith Kipyegon holds up four fingers to signify her four world 1,500m titles. Photo: *AFP*

Tokyo holds special significance for Kipyegon. It was here in 2021 that she won Olympic gold shortly after giving birth to her first daughter. "This time, I have another gold medal to bring home to show my daughter," she said emotionally.

In recent years, Kipyegon has trained in the Great Rift Valley, considered the cradle of Kenyan distance runners, under coach Patrick Sang, who also mentors the legendary Eliud Kipchoge. Her persistence and extraordinary fitness have shown no signs of slowing down, even at 31.

The 2025 World Athletics Championships took place from 13/9 to 21/9 at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. This is the third time Japan has hosted the event, following Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka in 2007. Over 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries and territories competed in 49 events.

16/9 saw exciting finals in the men's high jump and men's 110m hurdles, with new champions crowned in both events.

In the men's high jump, Jack Kerr and Woo Sanghyeok of South Korea were neck and neck until 2.34m. Woo held a temporary lead, having cleared the height on an earlier attempt, but Kerr's flawless jump at 2.36m secured him the gold. Woo was unable to improve his mark and took silver. Jan Stefela of the Czech Republic and Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine shared the bronze medal at 2.31m.

Cordell Tinch of the USA became the new 110m hurdles champion. With a strong start and consistent speed, he finished in 12.99 seconds to claim his first world title, keeping the gold medal in the USA after defending champion Grant Holloway failed to advance from the semifinals. Jamaicans Orlando Bennett (13.08 seconds) and Tyler Mason (13.12 seconds) took silver and bronze, respectively.

Compiled by Hong Duy