Multiple record holder Faith Kipyegon says she will take one step at a time with her main focus being defending her 1,500m title in the World Championships which got underway today
“Yes I am doubling up in the 5,000m but my priory first is to defend my 1,500m title,” she noted.
Kipyegon said as far as the 5,000m is concerned, she wants to introduce her legs to the long distance on the big stage, and other things will follow.
She admitted that there are high expectations from her fans from around the world for her to perform but she is not under any kind of pressure.
Asked about the threat from Dutch woman Sifan Hassan, who is expected to feature in multiple events, she said her focus will not be on individuals but the race.
“All I know is that I am ready and the weather conditions here are good. The rest will fall in place,” said a confident Kipyegon Kipyegon who holds records in 1,500m, 5000m, and the Mile.
She said she was basically using the 1,500m heats to test the ground and she is happy things have gone as per the plan.
Kipyegon said she is happy she will have company from Kenya after Nelly Chepchirchir and Edinah Jebitok made the cut.
Kipyegon won Heat Two in 4:02:62—the fastest heat of the day ahead of Ethiopiua’s Diribe Welteji (4:02.72) and Ireland's Sarah Healy (4:03.00), who placed second and third respectively.
Chepchirchir was also victorious in her heat after posting 4:00:87 ahead of United States’ Sinclaire Johnson (4:01.09) and Ethiopia’s Birke Haylon (4:01.123). Jebitok clocked 4:04.09 to place fourth in Heat One won by Sifan in (4:02:92) with Briton Laura Muir second in 4:04.09.
Purity Chepkirui failed to make the cut after fading off to seventh place in 4:04.51 in a heat won by Hirut Meshasha of Ethiopia in 4:03.47.
