The Japan Times - Kipyegon sparkles, Tinch's time away pays off with world gold

The 31-year-old Kipyegon had bad news for those who entertained hopes of winning the 5000m later in the week -- the Kenyan is going to try and achieve the double as she did in Budapest in 2023.

Tinch was also at those championships two years ago but bowed out in the semi-finals, with Grant Holloway going onto win his third world gold.

On Tuesday the roles were reversed as Holloway bowed out in the semis and 25-year-old Tinch took his crown.

Not bad for someone who stepped away from the sport and five years ago was selling mobile phones and then worked in a paper factory.

Sadly their golden moments were not shared by a full house, with just 37,000 in the National Stadium and that despite Japan having several athletes in action, including two in the high jump final.

Just as on Monday so it was on Tuesday -- New Zealand and Canada won a gold apiece.

Despite deafening patriotic cheers for Yuto Seko and Ryoichi Akamatsu, they had pulled on their tracksuits and were mere spectators long before New Zealand's Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr had added world championships gold to his collection.

Canada's Ethan Katzberg retained the men's hammer title, emulating his teammate Camryn Rogers in the women's event on Monday.

The mild-mannered Olympic champion, 23, recorded a new championship best, throwing 84.70 metres in the second round.

Some had thought the women's 1500m might see a new generation take over in the shape of Kipyegon's 22-year-old teammate Nelly Chepchirchir.

However, Kipyegon put that theory firmly in its place, and just as at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics she will be bringing something gold back to her daughter.

"This sport drives me," said Kipyegon, who also set a new world record over the distance in Oregon in July.

"I won here in 2021 (at the Olympics) just after becoming a mother, so being back here, winning again, means I can show a new gold medal to my daughter."

- 'Homework to do' -

Tinch's road back to the track was sparked by a jest made at his expense by his stepfather in 2020, but as being the new world champion sank in he had no regrets about the sabbatical.

"If I hadn't taken that break from the track, I wouldn't be a world champion now," said Tinch.

"Everything I learned at that time away from the sport made me the man I am and a world champion."

Kerr is an entertainer and played to the crowd throughout the final, cupping his hands to his ears on the two occasions he went over on the third and final attempt.

Once he had sealed victory the Kiwi ran down the infield almost as fast as compatriot Geordie Beamish's finishing winning burst in the 3,000m steeplchase on Monday.

"Geordie (Beamish) gave me a kick in my ass after his win last night so I had to win too," said the 29-year-old.

Katzberg said he had felt the pressure after Rogers's victory.

"I can't ask for much more," he said. "Camryn (Rogers put the pressure on me to perform tonight.

"It was an incredible performance from her, so for Canada to win the men's hammer tonight as well is amazing."

As they absorbed their victories Tinch's teenaged teammate, 800m runner Cooper Lutkenhaus, left the scene but with lessons learned.

At 16 years 8 months and 28 days old he became the youngest runner to represent the United States at a world championships. But he finished seventh in his heat.

"I did not feel any pressure and I really wanted to come out here and give everything," he said.

"Being 16 on the world stage is very exciting. My parents and my family still see me as a 16-year-old kid."

Lutkenhaus added he could now go out in Tokyo and have some fun, although reality is also biting.

"I still have homework to do on this trip," he admitted.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone meanwhile showed she could threaten the women's 400m record set four decades ago by Marita Koch.

The American, running this event instead of her speciality, the 400m hurdles, practically strolled over the line in her semi-final in 48.29sec. Koch's record is 47.60sec. All eyes will be on Thursday's final.

pi/gj

S.Yamamoto--JT