Kenyan middle-distance superstar Faith Kipyegon capped a year that brought her a trio of world records by claiming a hat-trick of world 1,500 metres gold medals as she ran a perfect race to come home in 3:54.87 in Tuesday’s final.

Kipyegon, the double Olympic champion, has not lost over the distance for two years. Still only 29, Budapest is her sixth World Championships and she now has a remarkable haul of three gold medals, two silvers and a fifth place on her debut in 2013.

Avoiding any risk of a fall, Kipyegon hit the front from the start, though keeping a controlled pace.

Ethiopian 21-year-old Diribe Welteji was the best of the rest as she took silver in 3:55.69, with Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, still heavily strapped after falling metres from the line while fighting for 10,000m gold three days ago, finishing well for bronze in 3:56.00.

“This is a great season for me — to break the world records and to become a world champion here, to defend my title, I am so grateful,” said Kipyegon.

Aldrin qualifies

National record holder long jumper Jeswin Aldrin qualified for his maiden worlds final but fellow competitor Murali Sreeshankar made a shock exit at the qualification round after a below-par show on Wednesday.

Aldrin, who entered the showpiece as season leader with his 8.42m national record effort in March, cleared 8 metres in his first attempt and fouled his next two jumps. But that was sufficient for him to make it to the 12-man final to be held on Thursday.

Those who cleared automatic qualification distance of 8.15m or top-12 from the two qualification groups made it to the finals. Aldrin, who finished sixth in Group B qualification round, was the 12th best performer overall and made it to the finals as the last qualifier.

Laulauga Tausaga obliterated her personal best by over four metres to take a stunning world discus gold just as fellow American and hot favourite Valarie Allman had been seemingly cruising towards the title.

Tausaga came into the final with a best of 65.46 metres but somehow found 69.49 with her fifth throw, before sprinting into the crowd to celebrate with her incredulous supporters.

Olympic champion Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas pulled up injured in his 400m semi-final and failed to progress to the final.

Australian Peter Bol endured an anti-climatic appearance as, having had a doping suspension lifted only weeks before the event, he looked well off the pace in the 800m heats and failed to progress.

Reuters, PTI