Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon stunned the athletics world with world-record performances at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, turning the event into one of the most unforgettable nights in track history.
How Did Beatrice Chebet Make History in the 5,000m?
Beatrice Chebet became the first woman to ever run the 5,000m in under 14 minutes, clocking an astonishing 13:58.06. The Olympic champion in both the 5,000m and 10,000m from Paris 2024 unleashed a powerful final lap to break the record previously held by Gudaf Tsegay (14:00.21).
Reflecting on her journey, the 25-year-old credited both her form and inspiration from fellow Kenyan Faith Kipyegon. “In Rome I was just running to win a race, but after running 14:03, I said that I’m capable of running a world record,” she said. “When I was coming here to Eugene, I was coming to prepare to run a world record, and I said I have to try. I said ‘If Faith is trying, why not me?’”
Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich finished second in 14:01.29, while Tsegay took third in 14:04.41.
What Made Faith Kipyegon’s 1,500m Victory So Special?
Faith Kipyegon broke her own 1,500m world record with a new time of 3:48.68, improving on the 3:49.04 mark she set in July 2024. The three-time Olympic champion returned strong after narrowly missing a milestone in the mile just a week earlier.
“This was special,” Kipyegon said. “After what I tried last week, it gave me motivation that I can still do better.”
Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji finished second in 3:51.44, overtaking Australia’s Jessica Hull, who came in third at 3:52.67 after keeping pace with Kipyegon until the final lap.
Which Other Athletes Delivered Big Performances?
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, fresh off a 9.75-second run at the Jamaican trials, won the men’s 100m in 9.85sec. “I’m the only one that can stop me,” he said. “I don’t say that to brag but to be honest. Once I better my execution, amazing things are going to happen.” Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and America’s Trayvon Bromell followed in 9.91 and 9.94 seconds respectively.
In the women’s 100m, American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden edged out Olympic champion Julien Alfred with a time of 10.75sec, just shy of her season-best 10.73. Alfred finished second in 10.77, with Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith placing third in 10.90. Sha’Carri Richardson came ninth in 11.19, following an injury-plagued season.
Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis won the pole vault at 6.00m, while American Rudy Winkler set a national record in the hammer throw at 83.16m. Biniam Mehary of Ethiopia claimed the 10,000m in a world-leading 26:43.82, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo won the 200m in 19.76sec, and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi clocked 8:45.25 in the 3,000m steeplechase. Joe Kovacs took the shot put with 22.48m, and Tara Davis-Woodhall matched the season’s best in the long jump with 7.07m.
By Yockshard Enyendi
