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The double world and Olympic champion maintained her great form when she obliterated the mile record, her third such achievement in 50 days
Double world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon says she delivered just what she came for as she smashed yet another record at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday.
Kipyegon continued to plunder the most revered middle-distance marks in the sport, setting her third world record in 50 days when she clocked 4:07.64 in the mile, more than four seconds faster than the standard her long-term rival Sifan Hassan set on the same track four years ago (4:12.33).
While she was delighted to break yet another world record, the 29-year-old said that was the least she expected, showing just confident she has become lately.
“It was a blessing to do this with these ladies. I can see that they are all happy for me and it is so emotional. It is a blessing, it just does not happen every time you run. I have to say thanks God for this,” she said.
“I really enjoyed the race. I came for that, I wanted to chase the world record and thanks God, it was amazing. And just before the World Championships. I was really looking forward to running here. I have done good training so far and I just came for it.
“The time - yes, it was really good because the race was well planned. It just went smoothly and to accomplish the world record - that is amazing. What will be the next - I do not know, it is in God´s hands."
Kipyegon has marched across Europe in the last seven weeks like a latter-day Caesar. She started this imperious run of Diamond League form in Florence, Italy on June 2, when she became the first woman to run 1,500m in under 3:50.
She then conquered Paris a week later, this time splintering the 5,000m record, before laying siege to the mile in Monaco.
She won by almost seven seconds – more than half the length of the straight – despite three women behind her setting area records, six setting national records and 11 setting personal best times.
“I do not know how I am doing this because it just keeps going really in a good way. I was feeling healthy and just focusing myself for this world record. When I started this season, my goal was to just break the 1,500 WR,” she added.
“It was still in my head and in my mind. Thank God I also did the 1 mile and the 5,000m. So many. I want to defend my world title at 1,500m in Hungary but I am going to double also with 5,000 in Budapest.”
Kipyegon has laid the marker ahead of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary next month and she will be the woman to beat in both 1,500m and 5,000m.
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