Kenyan runner clocks 8:07.04 at the Diamond League in Poland to go No.2 on the all-time rankings as Karsten Warholm, Kishane Thompson, Guduf Tsegay and Masai Russell also impress

With 8:07.04 at the Diamond League in Poland on Saturday (Aug 16), Faith Kipyegon came within less than a second of beating Wang Junxia’s controversial and long-standing world 3000m record.

The Chinese runner clocked 8:06.11 in Beijing in 1993 but the performance is one of the most dubious in the record books amid allegations that her training group, which was run by coach Ma Junren, took drugs.

Beatrice Chebet, the world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder from Kenya, came close to the 3000m record this summer with 8:11.56, but the world 1500m and mile record-holder Kipyegon came even closer this weekend, narrowly missing the mark by 93 hundredths of a second.

Kipyegon said: "It is all about Tokyo now. I am so happy. I wanted to run a longer distance. To be honest, I did not see the clock on the finish line because I was so tired. But now I am very satisfied with the time."

On a day of fast times, which included Keely Hodgkinson’s 1:54.74 in a non-Diamond League 800m race, the women’s 1500m saw Gudaf Tsegay clock the eighth fastest time in history of 3:50.62.

The first lap was 62 seconds but the second lap an incredible 57 seconds as the pacer passed through 800m in 1:59.97 with Tsegay in pursuit.

The Ethiopian was clear at the bell but had a lonely and painful looking final lap. Kipyegon’s world record of 3:48.68 looked in danger at one stage but Tsegay faded in the latter stages to miss the mark.

Stepping down in distance from her usual 5000/10,000m territory, Chebet clocked 3:54.73 in second place although she never threatened Tsegay for the win.

In third, Georgia Hunter Bell ran 3:56.00 with American Nikki Hiltz running 3:56.10 in fourth. Such was the quality, Sarah Healy of Ireland ran 3:57.95 but was only ninth.

READ MORE: Keely Hodgkinson back in business

A big showdown in the men’s 100m which featured many of the probable contenders at next month’s World Championships saw Kishane Thompson of Jamaica win in 9.87 (0.3).

A fast-finishing Noah Lyles was runner-up in 9.90 with Kenny Bednarek third in 9.96, Christian Coleman fourth in 9.96 and Trayvon Bromell fifth in 9.97.

Thompson said: "The key is to find the momentum in the race and to maintain it till the end. Nobody is perfect, but I am working on improving my strengths and improving on my weaknesses.

"Paris last year was a big learning factor. I learned it is me against myself. No disrespect to my rivals, but anything is possible when you execute well."

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden's great season continued as the American ran 10.66 (0.1) to win a loaded women’s 100m. Tia Clayton of Jamaica was runner-up in a personal best of 10.82 as Dina Asher-Smith was seventh in 11.07.

There was British interest in the women's 200m as well as Amy Hunt and Daryll Neita were fourth and fifth respectively in 22.31 and 22.44 (-0.3) as Shericka Jackson of Jamaica won in 22.17.

Karsten Warholm was in imperious form as he clocked 46.28 – a Diamond League record and third fastest time in history as the Norwegian won by more than a second as Ezekiel Nathaniel ran a Nigerian record of 47.31 in second place.

Femke Bol was also in great form as she improved her world lead in the women’s 400m hurdles to 51.91.

Elsewhere, Marileidy Paulino beat Salwa Eid Naser in the women’s 400m with 49.18 to 49.27 as Britain’s Amber Anning was fourth in 50.11.

The women’s sprint hurdles saw Masai Russell, the Olympic champion from the United States, clocking a Diamond League record of 12.19 (1.4) to win.

Russell said: "My travel was so messed up, at first I did not want to race. I came two days ago, there were a lot of obstacles, but I stayed positive. I am definitely very confident going into Tokyo."

After losing out on Tokyo selection at the US Championships, Yared Nuguse continued to show good form on the Diamond League circuit. Here he posted a 1500m victory in 3:33.19 – an unusually slow time in an international metric mile nowadays – and if he wins the Diamond League final he will earn a wild card slot in the World Championships.

In the men's pole vault, there was no world record for Mondo Duplantis but he still won comfortably with 6.10m.

Full results here