Mumbai, July 8: Faith Kipyegon of Kenya broke her own world record in the women's 1,500 meters at the Diamond League track and field meeting here on Sunday. Kipyegon finished in 3:49.04, surpassing her record of 3:49.11, which was set in Italy last year. Meanwhile, Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine set a world record in the women's high jump erasing a mark that stood for 37 years.

Mahuchikh, the reigning world champion, set a new best mark of 2.10 meters. Kipyegon said she was aware of the possibility of better her mark. Avinash Sable Scripts New National Record in Men’s 3000 M Steeplechase Event, Achieves Feat by Clocking 8:09.91 at Paris Diamond League 2024.

“I knew the world record was possible because I recently ran very fast in Kenya. I was coming here to just run my race and to see what shape I'm in to defend my title at the Olympics.” said Kipyegon, who clocked 3:53.98 at Kenya's Olympic Trials.

Nine other runners in the race achieved personal bests. Jessica Hull of Australia finished second in 3:50.83, smashing her own Oceania record by five seconds. Laura Muir was third in a British record of 3:53.79. The 30-year-old Kipyegon is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500, having won in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.

Before Sunday, she had only run twice in 2024, in the 1,500 and 5,000, to secure her spot for the Paris Olympics at the Kenyan trials in June. Mahuchikh too admitted that she was eyeing a world record coming into this event.

“Coming into this competition, I had feelings that I could jump 2.07 meters and maybe 2.10 meters. Finally, I signed Ukraine to the history of world athletics.” Mahuchikh said. India at Paris Olympics 2024: A Look At Top 10 Medal Contenders In Upcoming Summer Olympic Games in France.

The previous record of 2.09 was set by Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova in Rome in 1987. The 22-year-old Mahuchikh and world indoor champion Nicola Olyaslagers both cleared 2.01 meters on their second attempt. After Olyslagers failed three times at 2.03, Mahuchikh cleared that height to secure victory. She then cleared 2.07 meters to set a Ukrainian record and had the bar raised to 2.10, which she cleared on her first try. (AP)

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