Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon added the world title to her Olympics gold when she won a superb women’s 1,500 metres final in a white-hot London Stadium atmosphere on Monday, judging her charge to perfection and holding off the field.

Kipyegon, silver medallist two years ago, took up the running with 600 metres to go and was stride for stride with in-form Sifan Hassan until the Dutchwoman faded while the Kenyan stayed strong to cross the line in 4 minutes, 2.59 seconds. Jenny Simpson of the United States, the 30-year-old 2011 champion, also showed great track nous as she slipped up the inside and finished like a teenage sprinter to take second. South Africa’s 800 metres specialist Caster Semenya also powered through on the line to grab the bronze. “I knew it would be fast, it is such a quality field,” Kipyegon said. “It was always going to be quick and competitive.”

After a slow second lap, Kipyegon and Hassan, the fastest over the distance in the world this year, took it up with 600 to go as home favourite Laura Muir and Simpson stayed in their wake in a thrilling last 300.

But it was the Kenyan who had the superior staying power as she drove through the line for a brilliant win to follow her 2016 triumph at the Olympics in Rio. Hassan, who slipped to fifth, and then Muir, fourth, ran out of gas over the last few metres.