Jess Hull Chases History in 1,500m Final at Tokyo World Championships
Tokyo, September 16, 2025 — Day four of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo brought the heat, and Australia’s Jess Hull was right in the middle of it, racing in the women’s 1,500m final. The Olympic silver medalist from Paris last year had fans on the edge of their seats, hoping she’d snag her first world championship medal.
Hull, a 28-year-old from New South Wales, came into the race as a serious contender. She’s been tearing it up this season, clocking a blazing 3:52.67 in Eugene earlier this year. That’s the fourth-fastest time globally, but she faced a tough field, led by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder who’s basically untouchable in this event. Hull’s been open about the pressure—she wants gold, not just another podium spot. “I’m not here to settle,” she said before the race.
The final was intense, with Hull sticking close to the front pack early on. She dodged the chaos of a physical semifinal yesterday, where runners were bumping like bumper cars. Today, she looked strong, pushing hard in the last lap, but Kipyegon’s experience and speed were just too much. Hull fought to the line, earning a hard-fought bronze—her first world championship medal. The crowd roared as she crossed, and her smile said it all: relief, pride, and a bit of hunger for more.
Elsewhere, Australia’s Yual Reath competed in the men’s high jump final but couldn’t crack the podium, finishing sixth. Day four was a big moment for Aussie athletics, and Hull’s bronze feels like a sign of bigger things to come.