After storming to the fourth fastest time over the 1,000m in women's history, Nelly Chepchirchir has thrown down the gauntlet, stating her intent to punch a Team Kenya ticket in the 1,500m at next week's World Championship trials.
The 22-year-old was in scintillating form as she powered to a commanding win in 2:29.77 on Friday night, claiming her fifth straight victory of the season and sending a strong message to rivals eyeing the 1,500m slots for the World Championships in Tokyo this September. Chepchirchir’s time now ranks her fourth on the all-time list in the rarely run two-and-a-half lap race.
Russia's Svetlana Masterkova holds the women's mark over the distance with a 2:28.98 finish from Brussels, 1996. Triple Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon is second on the all-time list with her mark of 2:29.15 from Monaco 2020. Maria de Lurdes Mutola of Mozambique rounds up the top three list with a time of 2:29.34 from Brussels, 1995.
In Monaco, Chepchirchir led home American Addison Wiley (2:30.71) and Australia’s Jessica Hull (2:30.96). Reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa struggled to find her rhythm, fading to 12th in 2:48.67
After her strong display in Monaco, Chepchirchir is now bullish about her chances of a second World Championship appearance in Tokyo. "I will compete next at the Kenyan trails, which are very competitive. However, I believe I can make the Tokyo team," Chepchirchir said.
The 22-year-old's last appearance on the global stage was in 2023 Budapest, where she finished outside the podium in fifth place, clocking 3:57.90. The national trials for Tokyo have been set for Tuesday next week at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Chepchirchir is expected to lock horns with reigning World Champion Faith Kipyegon, who clinched the crown in Budapest, clocking 3:54.87. Olympian Susan Ejore, Dorcas Ewoi, Purity Chepkirui, Hellen Ekalale, Teresiah Muthoni, Flomena Asekol and Mary Ekiru are also in the fold. Reflecting on her triumph in Monaco, Chepchirchir revealed that running her race led to her triumph. "I ran my race today, and I am happy the way I did it. I set my own pace, which led me to run my personal best," she noted.
"It is great that I managed to improve my personal best, which I set in Silesia last year."
She credits much of her dominant performances this season to her training camp. "I train with Emmanuel (Wanyonyi) and also with marathon runners. The team helps me a lot to improve myself," she said.
Chepchirchir has been in red-hot form this season, having opened her campaign on the roads with a Mile victory (4:23.99) at the Adidas Adizero Road to records in Herzogenaurach, Germany, on April 26. Since opening her Diamond League campaign in Doha, Chepchirchir has been unbeaten over the 1,500m. In Doha on May 16, she stormed to a 4:05.00, followed by a win in Rabat on May 25 (3:58.04) before clinching another victory in Paris on June 20, clocking 3:57.02.
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