Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo stunned the athletics world by obliterating the men's half marathon world record at the Barcelona Half Marathon, clocking 56:41 on Sunday – slashing 49 seconds off Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha's previous mark. The 23-year-old, a two-time world cross-country champion, delivered the largest single improvement in the event's history, according to World Athletics.
\"Perfect Race\" Strategy Pays Off
Kiplimo attributed his record-breaking performance to ideal conditions and calculated pacing: \"I injected a brisker rhythm from the third kilometer and felt stronger than expected. Breaking the 57-minute barrier was beyond my imagination.\" The Ugandan star confirmed he'll now focus on preparing for his marathon debut at the London Marathon on April 27.
Japan Celebrates Race Walk Breakthrough
Earlier in the day, Japan's Toshikazu Yamanishi made history in Kobe by smashing the men's 20km race walk world record with a time of 1:16:10. The Olympic medalist credited adaptability and fan support: \"Even when my form felt off initially, I adjusted rhythm to honor those who believed in me during tough seasons.\"
The dual record-breaking performances highlight a new era of global athletic excellence as athletes push physiological boundaries ahead of major 2024 competitions.
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Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo smashes half marathon world record in 56:41
cgtn.com
