Phanuel Kipkosgei smashes World U20 1500m record at the Paris Diamond League.
Kenyan middle-distance rising star Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech has burst onto the global scene with not one, but two Under‑20 world records this season, the latest coming at the Meeting de Paris.
At Stade Charléty on June 20, the 18‑year‑old tore through the 1500m, posting a breathtaking 3:27.72, eclipsing the previous U20 world best and only falling short to France’s Azeddine Habz, who claimed victory with a national record of 3:27.49
This record is not Koech’s only standout performance this year. On April 26, 2025, he shattered the U20 mile‑road record by clocking 3:56.08 at the “Adizero: Road to Records” event in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
This milestone complemented an earlier breakthrough, his 1500m personal best of 3:32.26 at the Lucca International Meeting in Italy.
Koech’s progression signals a swift transition to senior ranks. Eyes are turning to the World Championships in Tokyo.
