Jess Hull claimed Australia's first world championship medal in the women's 1500m, taking bronze in a gritty race against Kenyan legend Faith Kipyegon in Tokyo on Tuesday night. The Australian finished third behind Kipyegon (gold) and fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi (silver), with another Kenyan, Nelly Chepchirchir, in fourth.
Hull said she was 'really proud' of the bronze, noting a challenging season. 'It's been a funky year for me, a little bit less consistent than I normally am, and I've had to try some new things and some new racing styles in a way to level up as an athlete,' she said.
The race saw Kipyegon lead from the front and accelerate to secure her fourth world championship gold. Hull fought hard in the final lap, holding off Chepchirchir. 'I was looking at the back of her and then I felt Nelly coming up on the outside and I was like 'I'm not losing the medal',' Hull said.
In the men's 800m, Australia's Peter Bol was eliminated in the heats after finishing fourth in his heat with a time of 1:45.15. Bol expressed frustration, saying, 'It's a patience game, and whoever's the most patient is always top three and I just didn't have enough patience out there.'
Other Australian results included Yual Reath finishing 11th in the men's high jump and Reece Holder missing the men's 400m final despite a strong semifinal. After four days, Australia has two bronze medals, sitting 22nd in the medal tally.
