Kenyan 1500m legend Faith Kipyegon and Canadian Hammer star Ethan Katzberg successfully defended their titles at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 with displays of pure dominance on Day Four in Tokyo.
Kipyegon maintained her reign in the 1500m, winning her fourth world title at the distance at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Tuesday.
The three-time Olympic champion from Kenya clocked 3:52.15 to add another title to her sensational CV, finishing well clear ahead of her compatriot Dorcus Ewoi, who ran a 3:54.92 PB to secure silver, and Australia’s Jess Hull, who got bronze in 3:55.16.
Faith Kipyegon becomes only the second woman to win four world titles in the same track event after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who has won five 100m titles.
Kipyegon’s time is the second-fastest winning mark at the World Championships. She now owns three of the four fastest winning times in World Championships history.
“After setting the world record in Eugene, I said to myself: ‘I have to go to Tokyo and defend my title’. I knew I could run it under control,” said Kipyegon after the race.
“This sport drives me. I won here in 2021 (at the Olympic Games) just after becoming a mother, so being back here, winning again, means I can show a new gold medal to my daughter. I am taking it one race at a time and the 1500m medal is now in the pocket. I will focus now on the 5000m and try to win it.”
Olympic champion Katzberg started strongly in the men’s hammer final with an opening effort of 82.66m before sending his hammer out to 84.70m in round two – the longest throw in the world for 20 years – to break the championship record and his own North American record.
By contrast, the other finals on day four – the men’s high jump and 110m hurdles – were incredibly competitive and went down to the wire.
New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr added the world high jump title to his Olympic gold, equalling his own Oceanian record with a world-leading 2.36m. USA’s Cordell Tinch, meanwhile, emerged from the sprint hurdles with victory in 12.99.
Selected Results:
Women’s 1500m Final:
- Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:52.15
- Dorcus Ewoi (KEN) 3:54.92 PB
- Jessica Hull (AUS) 3:55.16
Men’s Hammer Throw Final:
- Ethan Katzberg (CAN) 84.70m
- Merlin Hummel (GER) 82.77m PB
- Bence Halasz (HUN) 82.69m
Men’s High Jump Final:
- Hamish Kerr 2.36m WL
- Woo Sanghyeok (KOR) 2.34m
- Jan Stefela (CZE) and Oleh Doroshchuk (UKR) 2.31m
Men’s 110m Hurdles Final:
- Cordell Tinch (USA) 12.99
- Orlando Bennett (JPN) 13.08 PB
- Tyler Mason (JAM) 13.12 PB