Kipyegon and Ingebrigtsen shocked by records, Girma had it planned
- Faith Kipyegon and Jakob Ingebrigtsen were stunned by their historic performances at the Paris Diamond League meeting, but Lamecha Girma said his world record was all part of the plan.
- Post By Ivan Kolekevski
- 12:07, 10 June, 2023
Paris, 10 June 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Faith Kipyegon and Jakob Ingebrigtsen were stunned by their historic performances at the Paris Diamond League meeting, but Lamecha Girma said his world record was all part of the plan.
Kipyegon broke the women's 5,000 metres world record, winning in 14 minutes 05.20 seconds, just a week after breaking the 1,500m world record in Florence.
The world and Olympic 1,500m champion, 29, will hope to wow the crowds again in the same city in next year's Olympics.
"I didn’t think about the world record, I don’t know how I made it," said the Kenyan. "When I saw that it was a world record, I was so surprised – I just wanted to improve on my PB (personal best), the world record was not my plan.
"If my body is healthy, anything is possible."
Girma was less surprised with his 3,000m men's steplechase world record of 7:52.11, knocking 1.52 seconds off the mark set 19 years ago.
"I’m happy and very proud. I felt so fast during the race, so confident. The world record is not a surprise," said the Ethiopian. "It was my plan to beat it in Paris. It’s the result of my full determination."
Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen also set a world best performance over 2 miles. It is not an official distance so does not count as a world record, but 7:54.10 is still the fastest time recorded.
"Being able to break this mark feels amazing," he said. "It is my first world best outdoors. I was a bit surprised by the time in the end."
Photo: EPA