Kenya's Faith Kipyegon reacts as she wins the Women's 1500m event, setting a new world record of 3:49.11, during the Wanda Diamond League 2023 Golden Gala on June 2, 2023 at the Ridolfi stadium in Florence, Tuscany. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
Faith Kipyegon is on top of the World right now. 2023 has been far beyond amazing and overwhelming. Not only did she smash three World records in a span of a month, but she also topped the World Athletics Women’s ranking.
Kipyegon is a true embodiment of hard work, resilience, and talent. In an Exclusive interview with CNN, Kipyegon reveals that running barefooted as a junior, set the wheels in motion of what she has achieved.
In the 2011 World Cross-Country Championships held in Punta Umbria, Spain, the by-then 17-year-old Kipyegon surprised many after she ran barefooted to win the junior title.
Her reason behind running barefooted was to have a firm grip on the ground as she was running as she had not gotten accustomed to using running shoes.
“I am proud of running barefoot because of the amazing things I have achieved now, I was running barefoot because of I was feeling comfortable. I told my manager, thank you, Nike, you gave me very beautiful spikes but I didn’t know how to use them by then because I was still young and felt I could run free when barefoot and participate in competition.” She narrated in an interview with CNN.
Kipyegon is having a season to savor, high hopes rest on her shoulders to do the 1500-meter and the 5000-meter double in the World Championships.
