XIAMEN, China — Saturday, 26 April 2025
Faith Kipyegon made a powerful start to her season on Saturday, narrowly missing the world record in the 1000 metres at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Xiamen.
The double Olympic champion clocked 2 minutes 29.21 seconds at the Egret Stadium, just 0.23 seconds shy of the mark that has stood since 1996. It was a performance that left the Kenyan smiling.
“It went how I wanted — just to start my season in a good way,” Kipyegon said after the race. “I wanted to do my personal best, which was very close to the world record.”
The women’s 1000m record, held by Russia’s Svetlana Masterkova, remains intact for now. But Kipyegon’s run hinted at even greater things to come as the summer progresses.
Chebet Edges Tsegay in Thrilling 5000m
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet also impressed, winning a fiercely contested 5000 metres in 14 minutes 27.12 seconds. She edged out Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the current world record holder for the distance.
“I said just let me start my season well,” Chebet said. “I am so happy to see that my speed is still there.”
Tsegay, speaking after the race, revealed she had been struggling with illness. “I am battling a strong flu,” she said, “but I am happy and I promise I will come back strong.”
Despite her illness, Tsegay fought hard, staying with Chebet until the final lap before fading slightly in the closing stages.
Bright Start to the Diamond League Season
The meeting marked the start of the Wanda Diamond League series, bringing together many of the world’s top athletes ahead of a packed season leading up to the World Championships.
For Kipyegon and Chebet, both victories were about more than medals — they were statements of intent. With health, form, and ambition on their side, Kenya’s star runners have set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year in middle- and long-distance athletics.
