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Kipyegon completes golden double but more heartbreak for SA sprinters

athletics26 August 2023 20:51
By:Karien Jonckheere
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There was no stopping the indomitable Faith Kipyegon as she charged to yet another victory at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Saturday night.

 

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Having already secured 1 500m gold at these championships, Kipyegon completed her double mission by doing the same in the 5 000m - becoming the first woman in world championships history to do so.

As expected, the race came down to a final sprint with Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, but Kipyegon was not to be denied, firing to the finish in 14:53.88 with Hassan taking the silver in 14:54.11.

Kipyegon’s young compatriot Beatrice Chebet claimed the bronze in 14:54.33.

“This has been an amazing year for me. Making history today, winning two gold medals in a championships is what I was dreaming for this season,” said an emotional Kipyegon afterwards.

“I have been patient waiting to be able to break world records and win double golds. But my dream just came true, it is amazing. I have been pushing myself to the limits and I will continue to push myself in the future.

“The race was not easy. It was a tactical one, but I am mentally stable and have managed to push myself.”

Chebet agreed, saying: “I did not expect the race to go at that a slow pace. That was not the best tactic for me, because I am not so good at sprinting like all these star ladies. I am specialised over 5 000m and sprinting over the last 250m to fight for a medal is not my strongest side. Fortunately, I managed to do it over the last lap. It was not easy. I just tried to be as close to the leaders as possible.”

KENYAN TEEN CLINCHES SILVER

There was another medal for Kenya on Saturday in the 800m final as 19-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi led for much of the race but had to settle for silver in 1:44.53.

Sudanese-born Canadian Marco Arop switched up his usual front-running tactics to claim his country’s first ever gold in the event.

The 2022 bronze medallist put in an incredible burst of speed to move from last place to first on the final lap to take the title in a time of 1:44.24.

“I'm really happy with this medal,” said Wanyonyi afterwards. “Last year, I finished fourth in Oregon and I had no experience back then. I'm still young and I will try to improve and push myself to the limit. I want to thank my coach, it is very special. Because of tonight, I'm really looking forward to Paris next year,” he added, referring to the 2024 Olympic Games.

“I spoke with [Kenyan world record-holder] David Rudisha today, and he gave me some advice. He said: ‘Stay focused and fight till the end.’ It feels great that he helped me to this silver,” added Wanyonyi.

Meanwhile, explaining his unusual winning tactics, Arop said: “I don't want to be known as the guy who can only run one way. I tried to be patient tonight and put myself in a position where I could attack. I knew it was going to be a tactical race.

“I was up late last night figuring out different ways to win. One scenario was to kick from behind in the way I did. I guess it was worth staying up late. To do it in the world final, it doesn't get better than that.”

Algerian Slimane Moula was fifth in the 800m final in 1:44.95 with Botswana’s young prospect Tshepiso Masalela sixth in 1:45.57.

The other Algerian in the final, Djamel Sedjati, was disqualified.

MORE RELAY DESPAIR FOR SOUTH AFRICA

There was more desperate disappointment for South Africa’s sprinters in the 4x100m relay.

First-leg runner Shaun Maswanganyi managed a smooth transition to Benjamin Richardson but the second changeover to Clarence Munyai went wrong and they failed to pass the baton on.

Just as he did at the Tokyo Olympics, Akani Simbine was left standing on the home straight with no baton and also no chance for redemption after being disqualified from the 100m final after a false start.

Munyai explained: “It’s not nice obviously because we did quite well yesterday [in the heats] and coming into today we were looking forward to competing. Obviously it’s my mistake because I’m the senior guy and the change wasn’t good, he missed my hand, obviously my hand was moving. I was looking forward so I didn’t see at the back. But I take the blame, it’s one of those things where it happens in sport but you just have to bounce back and hopefully the next one we can put it together.”

Simbine added: “If I look at this, personally, I think we would have won this, legit so that’s the thing that aches me is that we could have won this thing – or given America a run for their money.

“The potential is, we can win in Paris next year. We just need time together. That’s the important thing.”

Ivory Coast’s women’s team suffered a similar fate, failing to finish the 4x100m relay, meaning that, like Simbine, Marie-Josee Ta Lou will leave Budapest without a medal.

Earlier in the evening, Botswana’s quartet of Zibane Ngozi, Baboloki Thebe, Laone Ditshetelo and Leungo Scotch just missed out on the automatic qualifying places in the 4x400m relay heats after finishing fourth.

But their time of 2:59.42 was quick enough to see them through to the final.

There was disaster for Kenya as they looked to be in a great position to finish second in their heat before final-leg runner Wyclife Kinyamal pulled up with what looked to be a hamstring injury, so scuppering any chances of reaching the final.

Neither the Nigerian nor the Kenyan teams in the women’s 4x400m relay heats progressed to Sunday night’s final, which will be the last event of these championships.

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