Faith Kipyegon set for epic showdown against record-setting rival

© Imago

ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon set for epic showdown against record-setting rival

Festus Chuma 07:50 - 19.08.2023

Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan embarks on ambitious quest to conquer 1,500m, 5000m, and 10,000m once again, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown with Faith Kipyegon.

Dutch powerhouse Sifan Hassan is gearing up to replicate her Tokyo Olympic triumph at the upcoming World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

Hassan, who etched her name in history by clinching two golds and a bronze, will be competing in the 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m races, aiming to recreate the incredible feat that left the sporting realm in awe.

Hassan's motivation and determination were succinctly summed up in her social media post on Thursday, where she stated, "I want to see if I can do it again, because the challenge of running three distances fuels me." 

The 30-year-old's audacious pursuit will see her cover an astonishing 24,500 metres across the championships in Budapest, spanning an intense eight-day period that guns off with the first round of the 1,500m and culminates with the highly-anticipated 10,000m final.

Comparisons to the legendary Dutch athlete Fanny Blankers-Koen, who accomplished a historic triple victory in the 100m, 200m, and 80m hurdles at the 1948 London Games, only add to the fervor surrounding Hassan's quest for greatness. 

One cannot discuss Hassan's audacious pursuit without acknowledging the formidable opposition she is set to face. 

Faith Kipyegon, stands as a worthy adversary with her own set of accomplishments. 

Kipyegon, a two-time Olympic 1,500m champion, shattered world records in the 1,500m and 5,000m events back in June, igniting anticipation for a head-to-head clash 

Kipyegon's bid to secure victory in both of these events at a global championship marks a historic ambition that only adds to the stakes of this monumental showdown.

However, it is not just Kipyegon that Hassan has to contend with. In the 10,000m event, Ethiopian powerhouse Letesenbet Gidey, the reigning champion, looms as another formidable obstacle.

Gidey, who previously broke Hassan's world record in June 2021, is expected to defend her title with unwavering determination, setting the stage for a fierce battle of endurance and willpower.