Tokyo Olympics: Impeccable Kipyegon breaks record to defend 1,500m title

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon successfully defended her Olympic crown when she cruised to victory in the women’s 1500m on Friday afternoon.

In a tense final that saw Kipyegon collide with world champion over the distance Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Kipyegon in an Olympic record of 3:53.11 as Laura Muir of Great Britain clinched silver in 3:54.50

Hassan settled for bronze when she placed third in 3:55.86 to end her quest for unprecedented treble at the Tokyo Olympics.

Kipyegon was locked in a tight battle with Hassan before taking off with about 250m to go as Hassan struggled to keep up with her pace

It was a second consecutive victory for Kipyegon over Hassan who she recently beat the Monaco Diamond League.

Kipyegon becomes the second woman to secure back to back victories at the Summer Games.

More to follow…