Kipyegon's Faith in her strides earns her fame and millions

Faith Kipyegon reacts after breaking the women's 5000m world record at the Paris Diamond League in France. [Courtesy]

Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon is no doubt on top of the world.

Her breaking the second world record within one week on Friday night took the globe by surprise. Hers was a show of brilliance and class even as she confirmed Kenya's dominance in distance running.

There are not enough superlatives to describe her phenomenal race to a 5,000m world record at the Paris Diamond League in France on Friday and the 1,500m mark a week before in Rome, Italy.

With impressive athletics career growth for over a decade, Kipyegon has earned millions of cash in prize money as well as fame.

The Friday night win inspired and exhilarated a nation in the midst of tough economic turmoil.

The double Olympic and world champion's net worth is not in the public domain, but a look at the prize from the several races she has won places her among some of Kenya's highest-paid athletes.

For instance, Kipyegon took home with USD 30,000 (about Sh4.2 million) bonus for lifting last year's Diamond League trophy in Zurich.

She triumphed in three Diamond League legs including Oslo and Zurich and that meant she earned another USD 30,000.

With the winning streaks and top form this season, the double-world record holder is likely to walk away with even more at the finals in Eugene, USA later in September.

"Those who have qualified to compete in a winner-takes-all competition at the final will be crowned Wanda Diamond League Champion in their chosen discipline. All 32 Diamond League Champions (one man and one woman in each of the 16 disciplines) are crowned over two days of athletics action at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. Each champion is awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy", US$ 30'000 prize money and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships (certain conditions apply)," Wanda Diamond League said in a statement earlier this year.

Kipyegon had lifted the 2017 and 2021 Diamond League trophies and won a similar amount of prizes. Reports have previously indicated that she earned millions of cash from her shoe company, Nike in endorsements. She further earns rewards for winning gold medals for Kenya during global championships.

Most of her earnings from endorsements and investments remain a secret, but indicators point to a high earner.

Alongside marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, Kipyegon was in January crowned as the 2022 Sports Personality of the Year Awards Sportswoman of the Year, which also comes with more money in her pocket.

Together with Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, Kipyegon was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior for her extraordinary performance in athletics in 2021.

She received thousands of congratulatory messages after the historic show in Paris. President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary on Friday led Kenyans in hailing the sensational record-breaker.

"Tenacity, focus, hunger for excellence, and a winning mindset are the formula for greatness. Faith Kipyegon has done it again. Another World Record this time in the 5,000 metres. What an athlete! What an inspiration! What a champion! Congratulations, Kenya is immensely proud of you," Ruto posted on Twitter.

Namwamba said: "Super girl Faith Kipyegon does it again with a devastating 2nd World record in a week! 14:05.20 in the 5000m at Wanda Diamond League in Paris. We are incredibly proud of this legendary feat by a living legend of monumental proportions. What a proud week for Kenya."