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Kipyegon shutter Dibaba’s world record in Florence

Two time Olympic Games 1,500m champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon set the new world record at the Rome/Florence Diamond League held yesterday in Rome, Italy.

The double world champion in 1,500m set the new world record in her favourite race 3:49.11, lowering Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba’s time of 3:50.07 at the Monaco Diamond league in 2015.

The 29 year old said she has achieved what she had wanted for long, dedicating the win to all mothers out there.

‘I am really thankful, today (Friday) was a wonderful day in which everything came together,” Kipyegon said in a statement.

“The world record was in my mind since last year, but I wanted to approach it slowly by slowly to see what was possible this year. I can’t believe it! Now I have achieved what I wanted and what was in my heart and in my mind,” she added.

Kipyegon also thanked all the athletes who were cheering for her at the finishing line.

“All the athletes waiting for me at the finish line made me emotional. Thanks so much for all the support, it means a lot,” she noted.

After finishing the race, all her competitors went and hugged Kipyegon.

Kipyegon won her specialist event at the 2011 World Under-18 Championships, and 2012 World U20 Championships.

At the age of 18, she did not reach the semifinals of the 2012 London Olympics, but won the junior races at the 2011 and 2013 World Cross Country Championships, and finished fifth at the 2013 World Championships.

Kipyegon participated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion and a three-time Diamond League winner.

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