I NEVER stated that Kipyegon wasn’t the right choice, but I made a point which is obvious to the intelligent: for example, if Jakob’s 7:54 or 4:43 were broken this year, it would take something away from his status. Maybe not a lot, but something, and if some of you cannot see that it is due to your level of intelligence.
Jakob has lost his biggest race of the year two years in a row, so one of his records getting broken might call into question his status as best in the world. Kipyegon hasn't lost a championship since 2019 and she's dominated Tsegay every time they've ever raced, it's really not the same at all.
Kipyegon hasn't lost a championship since 2019 and she's dominated Tsegay every time they've ever raced, it's really not the same at all.
1500 championship since 2019 - yes, with her only other competition being the 5000 in 2023, which she won.
They raced sth more than a 1500 only once in Budapest with Tsegay letting go completely in the 5000 final. Nothing to talk about Kipyegon's specialty where she is much better and even the GOAT.
Tsegay had the killer finish / kick / burst to take down known kicker Hassan in the 10.000 in Budapest. Gudaf has become a monster this year.
This reminds me of another story that generated a ton of discussion here and should therefore be added to the list: someone who doesn’t identify as a woman won the US championship in the women’s 1500 and broke the US record in the women’s mile.
Kipyegon hasn't lost a championship since 2019 and she's dominated Tsegay every time they've ever raced, it's really not the same at all.
1500 championship since 2019 - yes, with her only other competition being the 5000 in 2023, which she won.
They raced sth more than a 1500 only once in Budapest with Tsegay letting go completely in the 5000 final. Nothing to talk about Kipyegon's specialty where she is much better and even the GOAT.
Tsegay had the killer finish / kick / burst to take down known kicker Hassan in the 10.000 in Budapest. Gudaf has become a monster this year.
To clarify
1500 championship since & including 2021 (after her 2nd in 2019 after maternity break) - yes, with her only other championship distance being the 5000 in 2023, which she won. (In fact between and including 2016 and 2022 Kipyegon only raced sth longer than a mile twice: one XC senior race at the 2017 World XC Champs and one DL 3000 in 2022.)
They have raced together sth more than a 1500 only once (whether champs or an isolated race) - in Budapest with Tsegay letting go completely in the 5000 final. Nothing to talk about Kipyegon's specialty where she is much? better and even the GOAT.
Tsegay had the killer finish / kick (including controversial super fast very short burst) to take down known kicker Hassan in the 10.000 in Budapest (without delving into the splits). Gudaf has become a monster this year.
And here is Tsegay's explanation of the 5000 final in Budapest according to WA:
“After the 10,000m in Budapest, I had some pain under the bottom of my foot,” Tsegay said. “I think it had something to do with the hot weather.” After the race she could barely walk for a few days, and she lay awake at night unable to sleep with frustration. Tsegay was able to get through the first round of the 5000m in Budapest, and in the final she took the race out hard, hoping others would join in making it a fast pace. But the heat got the better of the field, and she faded sharply towards the end of the race. “I was so mad,” Tsegay explained of what remains her only defeat in nine races this year. “Training had gone so well and I really wanted to bring two medals back to my country, back to my people, so it was really disappointing. But life and sport are like this; sometimes you fall down, sometimes you win.”
It should be noted that it is not true regarding "in the final she took the race out hard, hoping others would join in making it a fast pace" - when she led for the first time it was rather short and comical as she took the lead but wanted someone other to take it very soon, slowing down to an absurdly slow pace.
I think this has been the most exciting track and field season that I can remember (and I'm 64 and have been a track fan since I was a little kid- my father actually noticed that I enjoyed watching it on TV when I was under 10).
Your list is good and you can come up with many more because there were so many stories.
The Diamond League was so exciting this year that I actually wasn't looking forward to Worlds and then Worlds blew me away with a great competition in every event.