Sweet surprise as Faith Kipyegon learns of Ewoi’s 1500m silver in post-race interview

Faith Kipyegon crosses the finish line ahead of Australian Jessica Hull and Dorcus Ewoi in the 1500m race at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, September 16, 2025.

Faith Kipyegon continued her reign in middle-distance running on Tuesday, storming to victory in the women’s 1500m at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 30-year-old clocked 3:52.15 to claim her fourth consecutive world title, becoming only the second woman to achieve four crowns in the same track event after Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who has five in the 100m.

Kenya’s celebrations doubled when compatriot Dorcus Ewoi surged to a personal best of 3:54.92 to take silver, sealing a memorable 1-2 finish for the country.

Australian Jessica Hull (3:55.16) settled for bronze, while Nelly Chepchirchir (3:55.25) missed the podium.

Yet in a quirky twist, Kipyegon only realised much later that Ewoi had taken silver, not bronze.

Immediately after the race, she turned to embrace her teammate in celebration, thinking Ewoi had finished third.

It wasn’t until the post-race interview that the triple Olympic champion noticed the medal hanging from Ewoi’s neck.

“I had not seen whether your medal is bronze or silver. Come here mama, I’m happy for you,” she said in Swahili before hugging Ewoi again.

Kipyegon explained that she assumed Hull was second because she had seen the Australian on her shoulder in the final metres.

“I saw Jess behind me, so I thought Jess is silver medalist. Another surprise,” she smiled.

Faith Kipyegon (Gold) and Dorcus Ewoi (Silver) celebrate alongsdide bronze medalist Jessica Hull of Australia after storming to a 1-2 Kenyan finish in the 1500m race at the World Athletics Championships, Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Ewoi, equally stunned by her late surge to silver, admitted: “Sijui nitalalaje (I don’t know how I will sleep),” drawing laughter from Kipyegon, who quipped that she should use the medal as a pillow.

“You have really surprised me,” Kipyegon added. “I was asked earlier what I thought of you winning silver, and I said it was bronze. I’m happy for you.”

The pair’s light-hearted exchange capped a historic night for Kenya as Kipyegon reaffirmed her dominance and Ewoi announced her arrival on the global stage.