Three-time Olympic 1500 metre champion Faith Kipyegon added another milestone to her extraordinary career by defending her world title. She is now a four-time champion. While she is a four-time world champion in the metric mile, she also owns gold in the 5000m event. She also owns a silver in the 5000m from the Olympics.

The Kenyan superstar crossed the finish line in 3:52.15, further cementing her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history.

Kipyegon’s latest triumph is the culmination of years of steady progression. With her collection of global titles and record-breaking performances, she has long been regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport. This victory caps an exceptional season in which she broke her own world 1500m record, clocking 3:48.68 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, before running the fastest mile ever by a woman with 4:06.42 at the Breaking4 event in Paris, France. While Breaking4 was a time trial and does not count as a world record, she also holds the official world record at 4:07.64, set in 2023.

“This was my dream,” said Kipyegon. “Another world title, continuing to make history. I am so happy to be in Tokyo; it’s bringing back so many memories from the Olympics. The energy from the spectators is incredible, I’m truly grateful and so happy today.”

Fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi finished second in a personal best time of 3:54.92. Australia’s Jessica Hull took third in 3:55.16.

For the 28-year-old Ewoi, it was her first international event representing Kenya. It was her second time running under four minutes. Her personal best going into the Tokyo meet was 3:59.64 from May 25 at the Rabat Diamond League meet. It is a near five second improvement on her previous lifetime best.

Hull set her personal best during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, going 3:52.67 to earn silver. It is the 28-year-old’s first outdoor world championships medal. Hull also has a bronze medal from the 2025 Nanjing World Indoor Championships in the 3000m event.

For seven-time Canadian record holder Gabriela DeBues-Stafford her 11th place finish and time of 3:59.65 is not near her best, but racing the final at the world championships was a long way back from over two years of constant injury.

None of the runners finished under four minutes during the heats, whereas 11 of 14 ran under the benchmark in the final.

Women’s 1500m results:

Tuesday, September 16 – Final

Sunday, September 14 – Semi Final

Semi Final – Heat 1

Semi Final – Heat 2

Saturday, September 13 – HEATS

HEAT 1

HEAT 2

HEAT 3

HEAT 4