Laura Muir finished sixth in the women’s 1500m final as Faith Kipyegon won her third World Championships gold in dominant style in Budapest.
Muir, last year’s world bronze medalist, fizzled out to finish in three minutes, 58.58 seconds after the most challenging year of her career.
Kenya’s Kipyegon, the world record holder, appeared to be in control throughout, securing the victory in a time of 3:54.87.
The Ethiopian Deribe Weltegye came in second place, while the Dutchman Sifan Hassan came in the third place.
Britons Katie Snowden (3:59.65) and Melissa Courtney Bryant (4:03.31) finished eighth and twelfth, respectively.
Kipyegon has proven untouchable this year, setting three world records over many distances.
The two-time Olympic champion led in the lead, dominating the proceedings at a comfortable pace compared to her world record time of 3:49.11 set in June.
But that all changed in the closing stages, as the 29-year-old showed her class and edge as she effortlessly left her rivals behind with a burst of speed.
British team captain Muir’s medal bid faltered over the final 200m as Weltegye closed in on Kipyegon and Hassan took bronze after recovering from her dramatic fall as she contested the 10,000m gold on Saturday.
Muir was unable to match the bronze after a rollercoaster year
By her own admission, 2023 has been a “roller coaster” for Moyer, far from the distraction-free build she’d ideally love before her latest show to make up a global platform.
The Olympic silver medalist unexpectedly broke up with long-term coach Andy Young in March, walking out of training camp alongside teammate Gemma Rickey after a disagreement.
The uncertainty that followed led to an inconsistent season in which Muir lost her British title – although she hinted at a return to form when she broke Zola Budd’s 38-year-old record in the British mile in July.
Third place last year behind Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia was worth the reward for the tenacious Scot, who had narrowly missed out on a medal at the previous three World Cups by finishing fifth, fourth and fifth.
But there was no repeat of last year’s podium at the end of a turbulent season – although she has previously stated that she already felt like a winner after a big change away from the track.
“I thought I was preparing myself for the race, I was covering the moves but that last lap was crazy,” Muir told BBC Sport.
“It’s another one of those crazy finals but I feel like I won even before I raced because I’m so happy,” she added.
“It was hard and I can’t thank the number of people who supported me, it was amazing.”
She appreciated the efforts of her teammates Snowden and Courtney Bryant, adding, “These two guys did an amazing job and I’m proud of them. The only country to have three athletes in the final.”
“I’m proud of my performance and I gave it everything I could today. It was tough but I’m excited for the future.”
Gold is a fitting reward for Kipyegon’s great season
In the final 1500m race before the championships before Budapest Kipyegon broke the world record, leaving Muir a distant second in the Florence Diamond League.
In a stellar season, the Kenyan also set a 5000m record in 14:05.20 one week later in Paris, before moving to 4:07.64 to smash Mel Hassan’s mark in July, making her one of the favorites in Budapest.
“I wanted to run the race,” said Kipyegon. “We are all strong in the final. The women were very strong and I was pushing this race that far.
“These days in the 1500m, if you want to win (you have to run) 3:55 and under.”
Hassan, who set out to challenge for three gold medals at these championships, confirmed she would take home a medal after leaving empty-handed late with Tsegay at 10,000m – with the 5,000m, which Kipyegon will also compete in, to come.
Hudson Smith impresses with his tampere entertainment record
Arguably the most popular champion to be crowned on the fourth day is the Italian Gianmarco Tamperewho received emotional support throughout as he won his first world high jump title.
Tempere shared Olympic gold with Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim, but outlasted the bronze-medal winning champion, putting on a show for his raucous fans and sealing victory thanks to his first pass. more than 2.36 m.
Britain Matthew Hudson Smith He achieved victory in the men’s 400m semi-final, setting a personal best and European record in 44.26 seconds.
That was even though the 28-year-old looked placid with his rivals comfortably behind him and saw him finish second fastest in the medal race on Thursday, after Olympic champion Stephen Gardiner of the Bahamas pulled out due to injury.
His British teammate Cindy Simper She qualified for the semi-finals of the women’s 110m hurdles with fourth place in 12.83 seconds.
Nigerian world record holder Toby AmusanShe was allowed to compete after it was found that she had not broken anti-doping rules due to missed tests, and also qualified by winning her heat in 12.48.
Three Britons automatically advanced from the men’s 800m heats, with Max Burgin (1:45.43) and Ben Pattison (1:46.57) Both are in second place and Daniel Rudin (1:45.67) III.
but, Jesse Knight She was unable to advance in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, as she finished fourth in a time of 54.51 in the semi-finals.
Fimic PaulA strong gold medalist in that event, she ran a comfortable 52.95 in her heat, easing off in the closing stages and qualifying second-fastest to the final behind American Shamir Little (52.81).
Elsewhere, American year schedule She smashed her personal best from four metres, to stun Olympic discus champion Valary Allman.
Tosaga’s throw of 69.49m on her sixth and final attempt saw her leap up the rankings, as the 25-year-old took to the stands to embrace her coach in celebration.
