Koech shatters 15-year World U20 record in Paris
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 20.06.25. | 23:49
The race was won by Azeddine Habz who destroyed the field, becoming the sixth fastest man ever in 3:27.49
Newly crowned World U20 mile record holder Phanuel Koech has doubled down on his quick rise to dominance in the middle distances with a World U20 1500m record after clocking 3:27.72 for second place in the Paris Diamond League on Friday 20 June.
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Koech, racing against more experienced runners got his tactics right in a loaded field, moving from the middle of the pack, where he lurked for the better part of the race before unleashing a killer kick in the final lap to real every one but the winner, reminding many athletics fans of the world-conquering Asbel Kiprop in his prime.
The 2024 ISF World Cross Country champion came into the race with a name, albeit new, to protect, as he is the fastest junior over the 1500m in 2025 after winning the men's race in a new Meeting Record and the U20 World Leading time of 3:32.26 at the fourth Lucca International Meeting in Campo Scuola Moreno Martini, Lucca, Italy earlier in the month.
In doing so, Koech broke Ronald Kwemoi's mark of 3:28.81 set in Monaco back in 2014.
The race was won by Azeddine Habz who destroyed the field, becoming the sixth fastest man ever in 3:27.49. The time is not only a World Lead but also a National Record one he got to celebrate with the very supportive home crowd that roared him to the finish line as Koech came threateningly close.
George Mills was third in a Personal Best (PB) of 3:28.36, denying another Kenyan Festus Lagat who came home in a 3:29.03 PB as well. Abel Kipsang was sixth in a 3:29.46 season best.
Results
Azeddine Habz – 3:27.49 MR WL NR
Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech – 3:27.72 WU20R
George Mills – 3:28.36 PB
Festus Lagat – 3:29.03 PB
Stefan Nillessen – 3:29.23 NR
Abel Kipsang – 3:29.46 SB
Flavien Szot – 3:30.74 PB
Ruben Verheyden – 3:30.99 NR
Tshepo Tshite – 3:31.35 NR
Pierrik Jocteur-Monrozier – 3:31.51 PB
Romain Mornet – 3:31.62 PB
Paul Anselmini – 3:31.63 PB
Pieter Sisk – 3:31.85 PB
Louis Gilavert – 3:32.25 PB
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