Faith Kipyegon Bags Kenya's First Gold Medal in Oregon

Two-time 1,500m Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has won Kenya her first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

The 28-year-old outpaced Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and Laura Muir of Great Britain to clinch the gold medal in a time of 3:52.96, the second fastest time at the World Championships. Tsegay bagged silver in 3:54.52 while Muir settled for bronze in 3:55.28

Kipyegon becomes the first female runner in history to win four medals at the World Championships, having bagged silver in 2015 and 2019 and gold in 2017 and 2022.

“I knew Kenyans had a lot of expectations in me so there is no way I could have let them down because they have always been supportive to me. I must admit the pressure was huge for me to deliver,” Kipyegon said following her victory.

She added: “My family has always been supportive to me in my entire career. Their support gives me the strength to give my all when I get to the track so just like last year I dedicate the gold medal to my daughter.”

Her victory extends Kenya’s medal tally at the championships to six, including one gold, three silvers and two bronze.

Earlier on, defending champion Conseslus Kipruto clinched bronze medal after finishing third in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. He clocked 8:27.92 behind Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco who won gold in 8:25.13 while Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia settled for silver in 8:26.01

Other Kenyan medalists in Oregon are; Hellen Obiri (10,000m silver), Stanley Waithaka (10,000m silver), Judith Korir (marathon silver), and Margaret Chelimo (10,000m bronze).