Kenya’s World Athletics Champion Faith Kipyegon has been dethroned by Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji of Ethiopia in Riga Latvia.

Welteji has claimed the women’s world mile title in a world-record time of 4:20.98 in the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships.

In the final stages of the race, Welteji accelerated past Kipyegon, world champion and track world record holder, as they approached the Freedom Monument.

Welteji displayed utmost determination on her way to her first senior title.

This achievement resulted in an Ethiopian one-two finish podium finish, with Freweyni Hailu overtaking Kipyegon in the final stretch to secure silver, finishing in 4:23.06 compared to Kipyegon’s 4:24.13.

It’s worth noting that Kipyegon had previously won the world 1500m title ahead of Welteji in Budapest in August.

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Kipyegon’s incredible season included multiple records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m events on the track, as well as a world 5000m title to complement her 1500m victory in Hungary.

As she embarked on her first-ever road race through the streets of Riga, she immediately took the lead, creating a rift t behind her and her competitors.

However, Welteji, Hailu, and her compatriot, Nelly Chepchirchir, soon joined her at the front, making it evidently indicating the possible outcome of the race.

After a kilometre of running, Kipyegon and Welteji had created a gap between themselves and Hailu and Chepchirchir, with a two-second lead at that point, crossing the 1km mark in 2:41.00.

As they raced towards the finish line in Riga’s historic district, Kipyegon seemed to lose some of her composure.

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Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn’t withstand the well-timed surge from Welteji, who overtook her as they passed the central landmark.

Welteji crossed the finish line, securing her first senior world title in 4:20.98, thereby improving upon the inaugural road mile record of 4:27.97 set by Nikki Hiltz in Des Moines in April.

Hailu followed her teammate, clinching the silver, while Kipyegon secured the bronze.

Chepchirchir finished fourth in 4:31.18, and Australia’s Jess Hull claimed fifth place in 4:32.45.