Chebet, Kipyegon break world records at Diamond League in Eugene

The World Athletics Diamond League Eugene meet witnessed two new world records set on Saturday. Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon, both from Kenya, smashed the world records of women's 5000 meters and 1500 meters, respectively.

Double Olympic champion Chebet became the first woman in history to finish 5000 meters under 14 minutes. The 10,000m world record holder kept her race well-paced, and broke away from the rest of the field along with Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay and fellow Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich after 2000 meters.

In the final lap, Chebet pulled away from her closest rival Tsegay and crossed the line in 13 minutes and 58.06 seconds, slicing 2.15 seconds off Tsegay's previous record. Ngetich was able to surpass Tsegay to finish second in 14:01.29, while Tsegay placed third in 14:04.41.

"I'm so happy to become the first woman to run under 14 minutes," said Chebet. "After Rome [where she ran 14:03.69], I knew that I was capable of running a world record. I told myself, 'if Faith [Kipyegon] is trying for a world record in Eugene, why not me too?'"

Saturday's other world record came from Chebet's compatriot Kipyegon, who indeed broke her own world record of women's 1500 meters with 3 minutes and 48.68 seconds.

The 31-year-old had Australia's Jessica Hull closely behind going into the final lap, but the Kenyan was able to win the race by almost three seconds. Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji surpassed Hull to finish second in 3:51.44, while Hull rounded off the podium in 3:52.67.

In other action, American Chase Jackson, who recently set a national record of 20.95 meters, continued her dominant form in the women's shot put with a winning throw of 20.94 meters, securing the top two marks of the season. China's Olympic champion Gong Lijiao finished 8th with 19.22 meters.

In the men's pole vault, world record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden cleared 6.00 meters for victory.