Jessica Hull smashes Australian 1500m record to come third as Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon becomes first woman to go sub-3:50

Australia’s Jessica Hull was a part of history in the Diamond League, breaking the Australian record while also witnessing the first sub-3:50 time ever in the women’s 1500m.

Jess Hull (L) claimed her place on a record-breaking podium in Florence. Picture: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Faith Kipyegon made history at the Florence Diamond League on Friday by breaking the symbolic 3min 50sec barrier while setting a new world record for the women’s 1500 metres.

The 29-year-old Kenyan clocked 3:49.11 to shatter the previous record of 3:50.07 set by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in Monaco in 2015 in an awesome display from the two-time Olympic and world champion.

Kipyegon, considered the greatest ever woman in the discipline, crushed the rest of the field in Tuscany, finishing more than 12 seconds ahead of reigning European champion Laura Muir and Australia’s Jessica Hull.

Hull herself created history as she stopped the clock at 3:57.29 – shaving more than a second and a half off her previous mark from the Tokyo Olympics in a new Australian and Oceanian record.

Kipyegon’s competitors were quick to celebrate her record-breaking achievement. Picture: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

“That race has been in my legs for a few years now and it was a matter of maturing as an athlete, probably from the mental side of things,” Hull said.

“Committing to a race that was going to go that quick shows some maturity and some big steps forward and I think we can go a little bit quicker because I was in no-mans land for a lot of it and I know that if I could stay connected, then maybe we could go a bit quicker.

“It was pretty crazy to be part of a world record race and I didn’t realise what had happened because I was wrecked when I was finished, but I was so excited when I realised. We all respect Faith so much and it seems right that she has the world record now because she truly is the greatest and it’s really exciting to be part of it.”

Fellow Aussies Abbey Caldwell and Linden Hall finished in sixth and 10th respectively.

Kipyegon fell to her knees in joy and disbelief after conquering the record, the only major honour she had been without despite her stellar career.

“I’m so excited, so happy, I didn’t expect this. I was expecting a world lead, not a world record, but I’m so grateful,” Kipyegon said to broadcaster RAI.

“As I said today and yesterday everything is possible.”

Kipyegon shattered the previous world record by almost a full second. Picture: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

World champion Fred Kerley eased to victory in the men’s 100 metres, again in the absence of injured Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs.

American Kerley crossed in 9.94sec, but insisted victory en route to a bid for a 100-200m sprint double at the world championships in Budapest in August was more important than the far from stellar time.

African champion Ferdinand Omanyala, who has run the fastest time of the season thus far when he hit 9.84sec in Nairobi, was second, at 0.11sec, the Kenyan having also finished on Kerley’s coat-tails in Rabat last week.

Australia’s Rohan Browning stopped the clock at 10.15 as he continues to build on his impressive season to finish in sixth.

“The most important thing was the win today, I ran like I wanted to today,” Kerley said.

“My ultimate goal is to get double goal in Budapest and all this is steps towards the ultimate one.”

Browning (R) was just behind the pack as Fred Kerley went sub-10 seconds yet again. Picture: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

His fellow Americans Marvin Bracey and Trayvon Brommell, who finished on the podium behind Kerley at the worlds, finished last and third respectively.

Jacobs didn’t race on home turf as he pulled out of the event with a back injury as he did in Rabat.

There has not been a showdown between Jacobs and Kerley since the Italian trumped Kerley for a shock gold at the Tokyo Olympics, pushed back a year to 2021.

Teen sensation Erriyon Knighton easily won the 200m, crossing the line in a season’s best 19.89sec, 0.39sec ahead of nearest challenger Jereem Richards.

Knighton, 19, is a rising star of American sprinting and holds the 200m world records for under-18 and under-20 athletes.

“It’s a good time for a season opener, I feel like I did good, could have been better but I’m happy with the result,” Knighton said.

Knighton’s star continues to rise. Picture: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Australia’s Nina Kennedy was back on the podium, producing a jump of 4.61m to claim bronze in the women’s pole vault.

“I honestly wasn’t feeling that confident coming in. I messed up in Doha (at a previous Diamond League this year). The last few weeks have been a bit hectic with training and I’m finishing my uni degree this semester, so things haven’t been that great but I think I put it together as well as I could have tonight,” Kennedy said.

“I had zero expectations going in. This was a process competition – go through the processes and execute what you know and the result will follow.”

Femke Bol charged to a season-leading 52.43sec in the 400m hurdles as the reigning Diamond League and European champion eyes gold at the Budapest worlds later this year.

“I am really, really happy, I executed the race like I wanted. It was a strong field which pushes me even more,” said 23-year-old Bol.

“At the World Championships I have the chance to win a gold medal … So today’s time is nice, but this year is all about Budapest.” British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith didn’t take part in the women’s 100m, won by Marie-Josee Ta Lou in 10.97sec.

– AFP

Originally published as Jessica Hull smashes Australian 1500m record to come third as Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon becomes first woman to go sub-3:50