This time K. Hodgkinson managed to beat A. Mu in the women's 800 m. However she had to content herself with silver, once more, since the winner was M. Moraa, in a quite decent time of 1:56.03. Mu led from the outset but probably the Mu of 2023 was not neither the one of 2021 nor of 2022. In fact, prior to Budapest, she had run just twice once a 800 m in June and then a 1500 m in the US trials, where she finished second. Her race in Budapest showed that she was simply not in top form for this event. Having seen Hodgkinson finish 3rd in the European U23 championships (albeit in a personal best of 51.76 s) I was wondering whether she was going to be in top shape in the World's. Well, she was, but she launched her attack a tad late and Moraa's superior speed made the difference.
To tell the truth, I expected the U20 champion E. Wanyonyi to win the men's 800 m race. But when M. Arop attacked, just before 600 m, nobody could follow him. He went on to win with 1:44.24, Wanyonyi finishing second in 1:44.53.
The men's 1500 m had just one name: J. Ingebrigtsen. I expected A. Kipsang to play some role in the final and I was keeping an eye open for M. García and, of course, J. Kerr, having won olympic bronze in Tokyo was a potential medalist in Budapest but nobody in their right mind could predict that Ingebrigtsen would lose the title for the second time in a row. In Eugene he had let Wightman pass him with 150 m to go hoping to catch him on the final stretch but failed to do so. In Budapest he took early control of the race and imposed a fast pace aiming at tiring the good finishers. But in the process he managed to tire himself as well and when Kerr attacked he did not have enough reserves. Kerr went on to win with 3:29.38 and Ingebrigtsen was almost caught up on the line by his compatriot N. Nordas.
Things were completely different for the female 1500 m favourite. F. Kipyegon took command of the race from the outset and proceeded with a fast pace and when she accelerated nobody could follow her. She finished in 3:54.87 while D. Welteji held off S. Hassan 3:55.69 to 3:56.00.
Kipyegon went on to win the 5000 m race as well. The ethiopians gave a slow pace to the race. G. Tsegay, the reigning world champion reached 4600 m in 12:48.99. I cannot imagine what they were thinking: was it possible to beat Kipyegon (or Hassan) in the final sprint? Well, when Kipyegon, Hassan ans R. Chebet surged with 300 m to go nobody could follow them. M. Kipkemboi was the only one to try, but she finished a distant fourth. That was one of the most impressive moments of the championships. Of course we can simply forget the winner's time: 14:53.88. (In the middle of the race, with 7:41, I was afraid we were heading for a 15+ min final time).
Ingebrigtsen got his redemption in the 5000 m. This time he took no initiative and let the others adjust the pace of the race. When they came to the last lap there was just a small group of 7-8 runners who could hope for a medal. When at 250-300 m before the finish M Katir attacked, Ingebrigtsen just followed and did not launch his attack until the final stretch. But it was clear from his expression that he was in control and indeed he passed with 20 m to spare winning in 13:11.30 to 13:11.44. L. Grijalva, the guatemalan (but USA based) middle distance revelation, was 4th just as last year in Eugene.
J. Cheptegei succeeded his "three-peat" in the men's 10000 m winning rather easily with 27:51.42 (the slowest of his three victories). S. Barega tried to follow him in the final sprint but without success. in fact he was so discouraged that he slowed down over the last metres and was passed on the line by D. Ebenyo downgrading thus his silver to bronze.
The women's 10000 m was pure drama. Wirth 300 m to go S. Hassan launched the sprint, followed only by the three ethiopians L. Gidey, G. Tsegay and E. Taye. Entering the final stretch only Tsegay could follow Hassan and in fact started getting closer to her. Hassan moved slightly to the right so as to make it more difficult for Tsegay to pass her. When Tsegay moved closer, Hassan had a look to her left (to make sure that there was no danger from this direction) and moved again slightly to the right. At that moment her arm bumped the one of Tsegay and mage her lose her equilibrium. She fell heavily on the track and could only watch the ethiopians trust the medals.
There was no particular drama in the Marathon, run under not very favourable conditions, temperature- and humidity-wise. This is of course reflected in the times. V. Kiplangat won the men's event in 2:08:53 while A. Shankule obtained gold in the women's race with 2:24.23.
The men's 3000 m was a boring race with El Bakkali beating once more L. Girma 8:03.53 to 8:05.44. I dream of the time when Kenya will find again great steeple champions like M. Kiptanui, E. Kemboi, Kipruto (both Brimin an Consesius) or S. Cherono (also known as Saif Saaed Shaheen).
Fortunately the women's race rewarded us with one of the best races of the championships. I have been following W. Yavi since her first championship London 2017, where she finished 8th at 18 years of age) and I was always convinced of her great talent. But he coud do no better than 4th in the World's 2019 and 2022. Those who follow my blog know that I am a great fan of B. Chepkoech. She holds the world records of both 3000 m and 2000 m steeple (the latter established after Budapest). She has had repeated injuries these last years leading to a so-so performance in the Tokyo Olympics and absence from last year's World's. This season she is back on track steadily improving, pushed by her namesake J. Chepkoech. Coming to Budapest I expected the two Chepkoech and Yavi to play a major role. Olympic champion P. Chemutai was also running but she did not look to be in top shape this season. It was a great race, B. Chepkoech giving a fast pace with Yavi just behind and, curiously, J. Chepkoech fading out of medal contention. Yavi attacked at the bell, securing a few metres' advantage and Chepkoech could not catch up. They finished in that order 8:5429 to 8:58.98. Only U20 world champion F. Cherotich could follow them obtaining bronze and just barely missing an under-9 performance.
My report cannot reproduce the feelings one has when watching the races. My advice is to go to youtube and try to find the video of the races that can interest you. I have followed the championships in real time and you must believe me when I say that knowing the outcome does not make watching the races again any less interesting.
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