Gudaf Tsegay discloses motivation behind obliterating Faith Kipyegon's 5000m world record

ATHLETICS Gudaf Tsegay discloses motivation behind obliterating Faith Kipyegon's 5000m world record

Abigael Wafula 13:09 - 19.09.2023

Tsegay clocked 14:00.21 to shatter Faith Kipyegon’s world record time of 14:05.20 that the Kenyan set during the Diamond League Meeting in Paris.

Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay went into the World Championships with the hope of bagging both the 5000m and 10,000m but could only settle for the latter.

She faded to finish 13th in the 5000m and disclosed that she was raging about the outcome despite having a slight injury.

The 26-year-old noted that she did not rest after the World Championships since she was frustrated and she immediately started training for the Prefontaine Classic.

“I was very angry after Budapest because my target was to win both the 5000m and 10,000m but after the 10,000m I had a small injury that affected me going into the 5000m.

"I did not sleep after Budapest and I did not stop training…I had an easy run here because I did not have any challenges,” she said.

Tsegay clocked 14:00.21 to shatter Faith Kipyegon’s world record time of 14:05.20 that she set during the Diamond League Meeting in Paris.

She added that she found it easy to break the record in Eugene because of her impressive performances in the city. She won the women’s 5000m last year at the Hayward Field.

“I have so many good memories of Eugene, the track is very good and I also managed to win as a junior here.

"My goal coming here was to focus on the light and emulate how I ran in the 3000m during my indoor tour,” she said.

She will not be resting on her laurels as she shifts focus to next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France where she intends to win her first Olympic medal.

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