Faith Kipyegon among Kenyan trio to punch semis 1500m ticket in Budapest

ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon among Kenyan trio to punch semis 1500m ticket in Budapest

Abigael Wafula 16:21 - 19.08.2023

Kipyegon looked comfortable, as she led from gun to tape and crossed the finish line in 4:02.62.

Triple world record holder Faith Kipyegon was in a class of her own as she destroyed a strong field to win the women’s 1500m Heat Two at the ongoing World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Kipyegon looked comfortable, as she led from gun to tape and crossed the finish line in 4:02.62. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji also proved unbeatable as she resiliently fought for her second place as Ireland’s Sarah Healy sealed the podium in 4:03.00.

In Heat One, Double Olympic champion Sifan Hassan dominated to win the race in 4:02.92 and qualify for the semi-final. Great Britain’s Laura Muir finished second as Nikki Hiltz completed the podium.

Edinah Jebitok was the only Kenyan in the race and she managed to finish fourth and qualify for a slot in the semifinal.

Youngster Nelly Chepchirchir also dominated Heat Three with a remarkable win. Competing against some of the greatest 1500m athletes, Chepchirchir stamped authority as she cut the tape in 4:00.87 to directly qualify for the semifinal.

USA’s Sinclair Johnson and Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom finished second and third in the heated race. 

Former World Under-20 1500m champion Purity Chepkirui in Heat Four, failed to live up to the billing as she faded to finish a disappointing seventh and miss out on the semifinal by a whisker. 

Ethiopia’s Hirut Meshesha reigned supreme in the Heat as Australia’s Jessica Haul and Ireland’s Ciara Mageean finished second and third respectively.