Two-time world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon is happy to end her season on a high despite recording a slower time in Zurich Diamond League.
She said the victory came as a surprise because she expected the opponents to give her a run for her money.
The two-time Olympic 1,500m champion clocked 4:00.44 to cross the line ahead of Ireland’s Ciara Mageean, who placed second in 4:01.68, and third-placed Ethiopian Freweyni Hailu (4:01.73).
“This was a really strong field, but then I kept thinking this was the last race of the season, and I took the opportunity to end it in a nice way. The win feels really special,” Kipyegon said.
She added: “I was hoping they (competitors) would come with me when I pushed and it would be a tough race. I enjoyed it anyway, but it was really funny because I honestly believed they were coming with me so it almost felt that I was running on my own towards the end.”
Kipyegon admitted to having had a long and busy season. At the World Championships in Oregon, she reclaimed the world title she had lost to Netherland’s Sifan Hassan in the 2019 edition.
She was also in action in Monaco, where she ran her personal best time of 3:50.37 (national record). Kipyegon added that racing in Zurich will always be special for her.
“It has been a long season, and, indeed, my legs are tired, but I think I still managed to run a good time. It is really special to race here in Zurich, and you can really hear it out here,” she said.
Meanwhile, world 800m champion Emmanuel Korir also said his win was unexpected, owing to the competition in the race. He said he had invested a lot of time in training and it paid off well.
Korir obliterated a strong field to win the race in a world-leading time of 1:43.26. Canada’s Marco Arop and Great Britain’s Jake Wightman placed second and third in 1:43.38 and 1:44.10 respectively.
“The last few metres were very tough. I never expected it to be this tough, but I did it. It is not about luck but a result of hard work," Korir said.
He added: "I had to push it hoping I could finish second or third. I managed to come first in the end though. You know, I was a bit behind today, but I did not give up. I will always do my best, and now I have the Diamond League trophy."
In the women’s 800m race, Mary Moraa clinched a trophy in 1:57.63 ahead of Jamaica’s Natoya Goule who placed second in 1:57.85. USA’s Sage Hurta settled for third position in 1:58.47.
