CHORZÓW, POLAND, August 16 — The World Records that fell more than 30 years ago to a small group of Chinese women still elicit hot debate. After all this time, only one of those marks remains atop the list, Junxia Wang’s 8:06.11. It got its closest call yet at the Skolimowska Memorial, thanks to Faith Kipyegon.
All eyes stayed on the front as Kipyegon followed her pacers, Sage Hurta-Klecker and Jessica Hull. Hurta-Klecker took care of the first K before dropping, a 2:42.07 as the Kenyan passed in 2:42.8. Hull handled the second kilo, passing that mark in 5:25.18, a 2:43.11. Kipyegon clocked 5:25.7. She would need a 2:40.4 final kilometer to add another WR to her list.
A 65.7 on the next lap put her in the hole. Her next lap took 65.0. She only kicked hard the last 200, a 30.6 that yielded a final time of 8:07.04. An African Record, it tops the 8:11.56 that Beatrice Chebet ran at Rabat in May, a mark that some (including T&FN) considered the legitimate WR before Saturday.
Said Kipyegon, “To be honest, I did not see the clock on the finish line because I was so tired. But now I am very satisfied with the time. I saw the World Record red line during the race, but today it was very hot.”
The 100H saw Nadine Visser start in lane 5 after a meet and Dutch Record in the heats of 12.28. With Olympic champion Masai Russell to her left and Ackera Nugent to her right, the pressure was on. Visser put herself into the lead by mid-race and was leading when she struck hurdle 6. That threw off her steps and she faded. Russell turned on the jets for a 12.19 win, breaking the DL record (and tying the No. 3 performance ever).
Tonea Marshall slashed her best to 12.24 (No. 5 American ever), edging Tobi Amusan (12.25) for 2nd. Danielle Williams PRed at 12.31 and in 5th Alia Armstrong moved to No. 9 among Americans with her 12.32 PR. Visser finished 8th in 12.60.
Said Russell, “My travel was so messed up, at first I did not want to race. I came two days ago, there were a lot of obstacles, but I stayed positive. I am definitely very confident going into Tokyo.”
The 1500 produced a WR challenge from Gudaf Tsegay, who followed the rabbit on a breakneck pace through a 1:59.97 first 800 (2:00.4 for Tsegay). She hit 1200 in 3:03.11 and would need a 45.57 final 300 to tie Kipyegon’s record. It wasn’t quite there and she finished in a meet record 3:50.62. That missed her own PR by 0.32 in running the No. 7 time ever.
Behind the Ethiopian, Chebet ran a PR 3:54.74, Georgia Hunter Bell clocked 3:56.00, and Nikki Hiltz took 4th in 3:56.10. In 8th, Heather MacLean ran a PR 3:57.79. Said Tsegay, “It is the second-best time of my career and it is not easy to get so close to your PB. The biggest challenge for me was the weather.”
Another great 400 matchup between Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser delivered suspense that lasted nearly to the end. Naser tore out fast, hoping to build a margin that the Olympic champion couldn’t touch. Indeed, it wasn’t until the final 100 that Paulino started chewing up that margin, taking the lead with just a couple strides remaining for a 49.18–49.27 win.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden again demonstrated that she is currently on top of the world in the straightaway dash. Running with a negligible 0.1 tailwind, she blasted a 10.66 to tie the MR set by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in ’22, the year the Jamaican great won her last world gold in the event. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton ran 2nd with a PR 10.82, followed by Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (10.87) and Tina Clayton (10.91). Americans Jacious Sears (11.00) and Sha’Carri Richardson (11.05) were well off the pace.
“Today I was genuinely shocked when I saw the time,” remarked the winner. “I hope to keep this momentum, not just until Brussels, but also the World Championships.”
The 800 marked a successful return for Keely Hodgkinson, who was injured in February and hadn’t raced since winning Paris gold last summer, She covered the first 400 behind pacer Lisanne de Witte in 56.7, then confidently strode through the second half to clock a world-leading, meet record of 1:54.74. It was the No. 9 performance ever, missing her British Record by just 0.13.
“As I got closer to the race I got more and more relaxed,” Hodgkinson said. “I enjoyed the feeling of the race. I planned to run a fast time because I do not have five races anymore before Tokyo, I only have today and the meeting in Lausanne. So it had to be fast and I am happy that it worked.”
Kenyan Lilian Odira ran a PR 1:56.52 in 2nd and Raevyn Rogers clocked a season best 1:57.52 in 4th.
In the 400H, once again Femke Bol put on a demonstration of dominance. For the first third of the race, she could chase Jasmine Jones in the lane to her right, but after that, the flying Dutchwoman was on her own. With a massive lead, she crossed in an MR/world leader 51.91. Second went to Czech Emma Zapletalová, who finished strong to pass Jones, 53.58–53.64.
Said Bol, “I have been in good shape and really consistent this year. In Budapest I was perhaps a bit rusty, but today felt really good. When you are consistent at a certain level, that is when you can expect to improve.”
A close 200 saw Shericka Jackson eke out a 22.17 win over Brittany Brown (22.21), Favour Ofili (22.25) and Amy Hunt (22.31). “We are back!” said Jackson. “I have not run a curve this hard since 2023.”
Jasmine Moore scored a long jump win with her round 5 leap of 22-5¾ (6.85). That passed the 22-5 (6.83) of France’s Hilary Kpatcha and held up while Claire Bryant finished with her own 22-5 for 3rd. Malaika Mihambo struggled in 4th, reaching 21-11 (6.68).
The previous evening focused on women’s field events. Yaroslava Mahuchikh set an MR 6-6¾ (2.00) in the high jump. France’s Marie Julie Bonnin won the vault at 15-5 (4.70). Jessica Schilder took the shot at 64-6 (19.66) over Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye’s 63-11¾ (19.50) and Maggie Ewen’s 63-11½ (19.49).
CHORZÓW WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(0.1): 1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (US) 10.66 (x, 7 A);
2. Tia Clayton (Jam) 10.82 PR; 3. Marie- Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CI) 10.87; 4. Tina Clayton (Jam) 10.91; 5. Jacious Sears (US) 11.00; 6. Sha’Carri Richardson (US) 11.05; 7. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 11.07.
200(-0.3): 1. Shericka Jackson (Jam) 22.17; 2. Brittany Brown (US) 22.21; 3. Favour Ofili (Ngr) 22.25; 4. Amy Hunt (GB) 22.31; 5. Daryll Neita (GB) 22.44.
400: 1. Marileidy Paulino (DR) 49.18; 2. Salwa Eid Naser (Bhr) 49.27; 3. Henriette Jæger (Nor) 49.83; 4. Amber Anning (GB) 50.11; 5. Natalia Bukowiecka (Pol) 50.16; 6. Alexis Holmes (US) 50.18.
Non-DL 800: 1. Keely Hodgkinson (GB) 1:54.74 (WL) (x, 9 W);
2. Lilian Odira (Ken) 1:56.52 PR; 3. Oratile Nowe (Bot) 1:56.76 NR; 4. Raevyn Rogers (US) 1:57.52; 5. Claudia Hollingsworth (Aus) 1:57.67 NR; 6. Abbey Caldwell (Aus) 1:57.70 PR.
1500: 1. Gudaf Tsegay (Eth) 3:50.62 (x, 7 W) (3:03.11);
2. Beatrice Chebet (Ken) 3:54.73 PR; 3. Georgia Hunter Bell (GB) 3:56.00;
4. Nikki Hiltz (US) 3:56.10 (x, 7 A);
5. Freweyni Hailu (Eth) 3:56.30; 6. Linden Hall (Aus) 3:56.39 PR;
7. Birke Haylom (Eth) 3:56.79 (x, 4 WJ);
8. Heather MacLean (US) 3:57.79 PR; 9. Sarah Healy (Ire) 3:57.95; 10. Marta Pérez (Spa) 3:59.02; 11. Klaudia Kazimierska (Pol) 3:59.66 PR.
3000: 1. Faith Kipyegon (Ken) 8:07.04 NR (WL) (“WR”—old 8:11.56 Beatrice Chebet [Ken] ’25) (inferior to Chinese 8:06.11);
2. Likina Amebaw (Eth) 8:34.53; 3. Aleshign Baweke (Eth) 8:35.51; 4. Rose Davies (Aus) 8:36.53; 5. Maureen Koster (Neth) 8:36.71; 6. Lauren Ryan (Aus) 8:37.56 PR; 7. Georgia Griffith (Aus) 8:40.08; 8. Axumawit Embaye (Eth) 8:40.20 PR; 9. Karissa Schweizer (US) 8:40.35; 10. Marta Alemayo (Eth) 8:41.48; 11. Ella Donaghu (US) 8:42.91 PR.
100H(1.4): 1. Masai Russell (US) 12.19 (x, =3 W; x, =2 A);
2. Tonea Marshall (US) 12.24 PR (=7, =9 W; 5, =7 A);
3. Tobi Amusan (Ngr) 12.25; 4. Danielle Williams (Jam) 12.31 PR;
5. Alia Armstrong (US) 12.32 PR (9, x A);
6. Keni Harrison (US) 12.41; 7. Ackera Nugent (Jam) 12.43; 8. Nadine Visser (Neth) 12.60; 9. Megan Tapper (Jam) 12.66.
(best-ever mark-for-place: 3-5, 7, 9)
400H: 1. Femke Bol (Neth) 51.91 (WL);
2. Emma Zapletalová (Svk) 53.58 NR; 3. Jasmine Jones (US) 53.64; 4. Amalie Hammild Iuel (Nor) 54.38 PR; 5. Shiann Salmon (Jam) 54.56;
6. Savannah Sutherland (Can) 55.13; 7. Alexandra Ștefania Uță (Rom) 56.35; 8. Anna Maria Gryc (Pol) 56.38; 9. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 58.47.
Field Events
Non-DL HJ: 1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukr) 6-6¾ (2.00); 2. Nicola Olyslagers (Aus) 6-5½ (1.97); 3. Imke Onnen (Ger) 6-3¼ (1.91); 4. Michaela Hrubá (CzR) 6-2 (1.88); 5. Charity Hufnagel (US) 6-2; 6. Kateryna Tabashnyk (Ukr) 6-2.
Non-DL PV: 1. Marie-Julie Bonnin (Fra) 15-5 (4.70) =PR; 2. Hanga Klekner (Hun) 15-1 (4.60) =NR; 3. Brynn King (US) 15-1; 4. Hana Moll (US) 15-1; 5. Elien Vekemans (Bel) 14-9 (4.50); 6. Marleen Mülla (Est) 14-9; 7. Chloe Timberg (US) 14-9; 8. Amanda Moll (US) 14-9; 9. Gabriela Leon (US) 14-5¼ (4.40).
LJ: 1. Jasmine Moore (US) 22-5¾ (6.85); 2. Hilary Kpatcha (Fra) 22-5 (6.83); 3. Claire Bryant (US) 22-5 (6.83); 4. Malaika Mihambo (Ger) 21-11 (6.68); 5. Quanesha Burks (US) 21-10 (6.65); 6. Larissa Iapichino (Ita) 21-8¼ (6.61).
Non-DL SP: 1. Jessica Schilder (Neth) 64-6 (19.66); 2. Yemisi Ogunleye (Ger) 63-11¾ (19.50); 3. Maggie Ewen (US) 63-11½ (19.49); 4. Fanny Roos (Swe) 63-9 (19.43).
HT: 1. Camryn Rogers (Can) 247-4 (75.39); 2. Krista Tervo (Fin) 238-8 (72.74); 3. Silja Kosonen (Fin) 237-6 (72.40); 4. Rachel Richeson (US) 235-3 (71.70); 5. Brooke Andersen (US) 229-7 (69.99).
