Faith Kipyegon of Team Kenya reacts after winning the gold medal during the Women’s 1500 metres final on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 06, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matthias Hangst / Getty Images via CFP)
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon on Friday retained her Olympics title in the Women's 1,500m race as she recorded Kenya's second Tokyo Olympics victory, and setting a new Olympic record in the process.
The 27-year-old was the East African country's sole competitor in the event after Winny Chebet and Ednah Jebitok failed to qualify for the final race.
Kipyegon clocked a time of 3:53:11 ahead of Great Britain's Laura Muir (3:54:50) and Dutch Siffan Hassan (3:55:86).
The Kenyan's win follows the Gold won by Emmanuel Korir Kipkirui in the Men's 800m race on Wednesday.
It takes Kenya's medal count in Tokyo to six; 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze.
Kipyegon's victory lit up social media in her country, following days of disappointment over a lack of medals in many races held before Friday.
Leaders and citizens have flooded the sites with congratulatory messages for her feat, others urging athletes who are yet to compete to emulate her performance.