T. NashipaeBudapest 23: Stars set to collide at every corner in 1500m race
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 17.08.23. | 08:30
In the women's category, reigning champion Faith Kipyegon last suffered defeat in the event in June 2021
As the world eagerly awaits the World Athletics Championships scheduled for August 19-27, Mozzart Sport gives you a sneak peek inside the 1500m category for both men and women.
The women’s 1500m race is set for August 22 while the men’s race is set for the next day, 23.
Women’s 1500m
Double world 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon will be looking to defend her 1500m title as well as make a 5000m debut.
Kipyegon has not tasted a loss in her favorite 1500m race in the past two years. Her last defeat came on June 10 2021 where she was beaten by Sifan Hassan in the Florence Diamond League. It is however unlikely that fans will witness a repeat of that.
With her recent series of triumphs, it is difficult to imagine anyone preventing the Stargirl from becoming the first woman to complete a hattrick of world 1500m titles, and proceeding to become the first woman to accomplish the 1500m-5000m double. No world record book has been in match for the 29-year-old.
Who can really challenge Faith Kipyegon in Budapest? by Deji Ogeyingbo, https://t.co/SZiN1wnb57 , #dejiogeyingbo, #faithkipyegon, #sifanhassan, #gudaftsegay, #runblogrun, #runningnetwork, #track, #trackandfield, #budapest, #budapest2023, pic.twitter.com/LzMAchRexJ
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) August 9, 2023
And then there is Hassan. The 30-year-old will be keen to cause upset despite the toll of preparing for her marathon debut, visibly taking edge of her speed.
The Dutchwoman achieved the stunning 1500m-10,000m double in Doha four years ago, and grabbed gold in 5000m, 10,000m gold and 1500m bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Though the 5000m and 10,000m are her better medal bests in Budapest, she is also entered for the 1500m.
Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, the next fastest in the 2023 world list with a personal best 3:54:03 is a worthy opponent. The two-time world indoor championship 1500m medallist is concentrating in the 5000m and 10,000m, but she is mighty strong in this category too.
World indoor bronze medallist Hirut Meshesha (3:54.87) and world U20 champion Birke Haylom (3:54.93) were first and second in big personal bests in the Silesia Diamond League meeting and are next quickest this year. Birke Haylom broke Kipyegon’s world U20 record in Poland.
The entry list also includes Diribe Welteji who came in fourth in the 800m in Oregon last year and finished third in Silesia in 3.55.08. Frewenyi Hailu, who was second in Rabat in 3.57.65, is likely to be the Ethiopian reserve.
Ciara Mageean and Laura Muir, the Australians Linden Hall and Jess Hull and US duo Cory Ann McGee and Nikki Hiltz could also feature.
Men’s 1500m
1500m depth 👀
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 14, 2023
Never in the history of the event have more men run faster than 3:30 in the same year 😤
Can anyone stop 🇳🇴's Jakob Ingebrigtsen on his road to golden glory in @wabudapest23?#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/Jhu8lcGu3x
This category has Timothy Cheruiyot, the 2019 world champion and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, who has shown flashes of form this year, winning the Kenyan trials in a sprint finish from Kipsang and finishing fourth in Oslo behind Jacob Ingebrigtsen, Katir and US champion Yared Nuguse for fourth place on the 2023 world list, with 3:29.08.
He will be challenged by fellow countryman world U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, who finished third in Silesia 3:30:30, bettering his personal best from the Stanislas meeting where he finished the 1500m race in 3:31:60.
Other possible podium contenders include Jacob Ingebrigtsen who heads into the race as seemingly invincible favorite for the 1500m. The Norwegian will be a year older and a race-wiser come Budapest.
