Ethiopian youngsters hand Faith Kipyegon first defeat of the season at World Road Running Championships

ATHLETICS Ethiopian youngsters hand Faith Kipyegon first defeat of the season at World Road Running Championships

Abigael Wafula 13:15 - 01.10.2023

Diribe Welteji, 21, put up a good fight to win the women's road mile and hand Faith Kipyegon her first loss of the season.

Double world record holder Faith Kipyegon has been handed her first loss of the season at the World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia.

Kipyegon has had a glamorous 2023 season, setting three world records and going unbeaten but she has since tasted her first loss. Her 5000m world record time was bettered by Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay at the Prefontaine Classic, the final Diamond League Meeting. 

However, her 1500 and one-mile world records still stand and she was hoping to set another record over the road mile but was unfortunately stopped by Diribe Welteji. 

The 21-year-old Ethiopian clocked a world record time of 4:21.00 to cross the finish line first ahead of compatriot Freweyni Hailu who finished second in 4:23.06. Kipyegon completed the podium after clocking a Personal Best time of 4:24.13. 

The race started off with more than 10 women striving for a place in the podium finish in the inaugural road mile World Championships.

Kipyegon started off by shooting to the front and the Ethiopian duo of Hailu and Welteji did not rest her rest.

However, the 29-year-old Kenyan had an urgency since she went to the race with the target of setting a fast time. Another Kenyan, Nelly Chepchirchir was also running in the leading pack.

Welteji was running in second place, looking poised and ready to tackle Kipyegon who was slowly increasing her steps. Chepchirchir was running in third place, struggling a little bit to keep up with the duo.

At this point, Hailu was running in fourth place trying to catch up with the trio. Welteji then passed Kipyegon a few meters to the finish line. The youngster clocked 4:21.00 to cross the finish line ahead of Kipyegon. Chepchirchir finished third in a time of 4:31.18. 

Meanwhile, the men's race saw American Hobbs Kesler set a world record time of 3:56.13 to win the race ahead of Great Britain's Callum Elson. Former world record holder Samuel Prakel finished third in 3:56.43. 

The first Kenyan to cross the finish line was Kyumbe Munguti who clocked 4:00.67 and finished 13th as Reynold Cheruiyt finished 22nd. 

Tags: