Koech extends 1500m dominance with commanding performance in Ostrava
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 25.06.25. | 17:09
He has been on the headlines for all the right reasons, adding a layer to the , conversation ahead of the Tokyo World Championship
Four days after breaking the world U20 1500m men's record, Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech has continued to turn heads, this time at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Ostrava on Tuesday 24, June.
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Koech showed that his recent record of 3:27.72, in his second ever race at the distance, was no fluke.
The 18-year-old ran away from a quality field at the 2025 Ostrava Golden Spike at the historic Městský Stadion in Czech Republic to win in a meeting record of 3:29.05.
The field went over the opening lap in 55.62 with the Kenyan comfortably racing in fourth place.
On the second lap Koech moved to third place, and was second as the pace setter dropped off at around 1000m, leaving Isaac Nader in command.
The duo took the bell with Koech hanging on the Portuguese runner's shoulder, going over. 1200m in 2:48.54.
The youngster took charge with about 200m left holding off Nader who came home in National Record of 3:29.37.
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Meanwhile world indoor 800m champion Josh Hoey clocked a personal best (PB) of 3:29.75 to completed the podium places.
Koech's record was so quick it led another teenager to Australian 19-year-old Cameron Myers to a sub 3:30, as he ran 3:29.80, setting an Oceanian U20 record, for fourth.
Four sub-3:30 in Ostrava 1500m:
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) June 24, 2025
3:29.05🇰🇪Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech (MR)
3:29.37🇵🇹Isaac Nader (NR)
3:29.75🇺🇸Josh Hoey (PB)
3:29.80🇦🇺Cameron Myers (PB) pic.twitter.com/wxnYK4qj6i
