Brilliant Kipyegon captures 1500m gold for Kenya

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya added the world title to her Olympic crown after sprinting to victory in the women’s 1500m on Monday.

In a fantastic race that erupted on the final lap, Kipyegon timed a brilliant late burst to perfection to cross the finish line in 4min 02.59sec, holding off allcomers down the home straight in London.

American Jennifer Simpson claimed silver, at 0.17sec, with South Africa’s 800m specialist Caster Semenya taking bronze (4:02.90) on her debut over the distance.

Home favourite Laura Muir who looked destined for a podium finish on the final bend ended up fourth after falling prey to Semenya’s charge.

The race started off on a steady pace as Chepngetich moved to the front where she ran shoulder to shoulder with Muir.

In the second lap, Ethiopian Dutch runner Hassan Sifan moved to the front to challenge the duo. Kipyegon then stepped on the gas, inviting a charge from Sifan, the fastest woman in the world this year.

With the pack split, Kipyegon and Sifan led as the race went into the final lap but it is the Beijing bronze medallist that had the stronger kick as Sifan faded to fifth in 4:03.34.

Defending world champion Genzebe Dibaba finished 12th and last, more than 4sec off the winning pace.

In other competitions of the fourth day, National champion Mark Otieno did not qualify for men 200m semi-final after crossing the finish line in 20.64 seconds in the second heat .

Africa Championships bronze medalist Aaron Koech (50.40) will join Otieno on the teracces due to poor techniques after the fourth hurdle.

On Tuesday, Kenya will continue her gold rush in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and the 800m .

All eyes will be on two-time Olympic and four-time World champion Ezekiel Kemboi the defending champion, Olympic champion and two-time World silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto and Commonwealth silver medalist Jairus Birech at 11:10pm hoping for a clean podium sweep in the 3000m steeplechase final.

World Junior Champion Kipyegon Bett will be hunting a senior title in the men 800m final at 11:35pm local time (+3GMT).

Bett, 19, is the only Kenyan representative at the event after his colleagues, 2016 Diamond League winner Ferguson Rotich and Emmanuel Korir bowed out of the championships on Sunday.

Tuesday, August 8 schedule (EAT)

10:35pm W 400m Hurdles semi-final

11:10pm M 3000m steeplechase Final

11:35pm M 800m Final

11:50pm M 400m Final