Klosterhalfen left behind early: Kenya's running stars put on a world record show in Eugene

Klosterhalfen left behind early Kenya's running stars provide world record show in Eugene 06.07.2025, 07:55

At the venue of her 2022 World Championship title, Malaika Mihambo triumphed for the first time this season – but didn't win. Another German star disappointed. Kenya's stars set world records. Pole vault giant Armand Duplantis failed to clear the world record height three times.

Despite a jump of 7.01 meters, Malaika Mihambo narrowly missed victory at the Diamond League meet in Eugene. At the venue of her world championship title three years ago, the athlete finished second. Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall of the USA overtook her with a final attempt of 7.07 meters. Mihambo, however, skipped the last two attempts. The 31-year-old, who has suffered several health setbacks this year, did a little jump for joy after her best jump. Mihambo won her second world championship gold in 2022 in the US state of Oregon.

Olympic shot put champion Yemisi Ogunleye, on the other hand, had a rough day. With a throw of 18.83 meters, the Mannheim native was eliminated after just three attempts and finished only ninth in a strong field. World champion Chase Jackson of the USA, who won with a throw of 20.94 meters, fell just one centimeter short of her national record set just a week ago.

Chebet first under 14 minutes

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet stormed to a world record in the 5,000 meters. With a powerful final sprint, the Kenyan became the first woman to break the 14-minute mark in 13:58.06 minutes. Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who finished third, narrowly missed the previous record (14:00.21 minutes) at the same venue on September 17, 2023. Konstanze Klosterhalfen lost contact with the leaders early in her first track race of the year. The 2022 European champion finished only 21st in 15:14.22 minutes.

Faith Kipyegon finished the race by breaking her own world record in the 1,500 meters. The Kenyan ran 3:48.68 minutes; the three-time Olympic champion's previous best was 3:49.04 minutes set a year ago in Paris. Pole vault star Armand Duplantis of Sweden failed to clear the world record height of 6.29 meters three times, but secured victory in Eugene with a 6.00 meter jump.