Faith Kipyegon smashes 5000m world record, Keely Hodgkinson sets national mark, Lamecha Girma breaks 19-year record
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Updated 09/06/2023 at 22:45 GMT+1
Records tumbled at the Paris Diamond League meeting on Friday evening, with the star of the show undoubtedly Faith Kipyegon who blitzed the field to set a new world record in the 5000m. The run came a week on from her world record in the 1500m, as the Kenyan showed her class in the middle-distance events. She has her eyes on the marathon in the future.
: Faith Kipyegon of Team Kenya celebrates after winning and setting a new World Record in Women's 5000 Metres during Meeting de Paris, part of the 2023 Diamond League series at Stade Charlety on June 09, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
, Faith Kipyegon stepped up in distance and repeated the trick in the 5000m at the Diamond League meeting in Paris.
Many Paris eyes may be focused on the French Open, with Novak Djokovic beating Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, but those who favour athletics were treated to star power on Friday evening.
Kipyegon has been imperious at 1500m, winning Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020, but in Paris she stepped up to a distance she has not raced at since 2015.
It held no terrors, as the Kenyan produced a blistering time of 14:05.20.
Kipyegon was up against Letesenbet Gidey and Ejgayehu Taye - the former held the world record heading into Paris.
But the two Ethiopians were blitzed by Kipyegon who lowered the previous record of 14:06.62 which Gidey set in October 2020.
Kipyegon looked in shock as she crossed the line, and despite there being pacemakers in the race she said the world record was not in her thoughts.
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Faith Kipyegon celebrates after winning and setting a new World Record in Women's 5000 Metres during Meeting de Paris, part of the 2023 Diamond League series at Stade Charlety on June 09, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
"I did not think about the world record,” Kipyegon said. “I do not know how I made it. I just focused on the green light and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race. I just did the race and wanted to see what happens, when I saw that it was a world record I was sooo surprised.”
Kipyegon smashed her previous best at the distance by 26 seconds, and she added: “It was all about giving my best. I just wanted to improve on my PB, the world record was not my plan.
“It is amazing. I do not know what will be next, I still have to discuss it with my coach and my management. I am sooo happy, I am very emotional right now and do not know what to say."
Chillingly for her rivals, Kipyegon added: "If my body is healthy, anything is possible.”
Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson was also in record-breaking form, as she set a national record when blitzing the field in the 800m in a time of 1:55.77.
“I am a little bit shocked that I ran so fast,” Hodgkinson said, with one eye firmly on the Olympics in 2024. “Paris next year, I will definitely be back.
“I had heard good things about the track. With this full stadium and the great crowd, it was amazing. I am so happy.
“Now the aim is to stay healthy, we still have to see, I want to keep running fast. The focus is on the summer, on Budapest.”
Lamecha Girma broke a world record that had stood since 1994, as the Ethiopian produced a stunning run to stop the clock in the 3000m steeplechase in a time of 7:52.11. Saif Saaeed Shaheen had held the record - a time of 7:53.63.
Noah Lyles of the USA produced a fine run to take the 100m in a time of 9.97, while Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs trailed home in seventh in a time of 10.21.
Two miles is not often run, but it was to Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s liking as the Norwegian won by over 15 seconds in a time of 7:54.10.
Dina Ashes-Smith could only come home in fourth behind Gabrielle Thomas in the 200m. The Brit made a blistering start and ran a superb bend, but faded badly in the straight.
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On June 10 and 11 strap yourself in for a live sport rollercoaster ride. With the finals of Roland-Garros, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speedway Grand Prix, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Criterium du Dauphine, MotoGP and the Champions League final, it’s the Weekend of Champions live on Eurosport, discovery+ and BT Sport.
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