Published: 09:44, September 15, 2021 | Updated: 09:45, September 15, 2021
Niyonsaba smashes women's 2,000m world record
By Reuters

Francine Niyonsaba from Burundi reacts after winning the 5000m women final at the Diamond League track and field meeting in Zurich on Sept 8, 2021. (ALESSANDRO GAROFALO / Diamond League AG)

Burundi's Francine Niyonsaba capped off her season by breaking the 2,000 metres world record on Tuesday, finishing with a time of 5 minutes and 21.56 seconds at a Continental Tour event in Zagreb.

The 28-year-old, who won the 5,000 metres Diamond League tile in Zurich last week, shaved nearly four seconds off the outdoor record and over two off the indoor mark.

The previous indoor record was set by Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia in 2017, while Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan had held the outdoor record since 1994.

ALSO READ: Mongolian powerlifter sets new Paralympic record in Tokyo

Niyonsaba, an 800 metres silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics, is banned from her preferred distance because of naturally high levels of testosterone.

She moved up to 5,000 metres at the Tokyo Games but was disqualified for a lane infringement in her heat, while she finished fifth in the 10,000 metre event.

Francine Niyonsaba from Burundi crosses the finish line of the 5000m women final at the Diamond League track and field meeting in Zurich on Sept 8, 2021. (ALESSANDRO GAROFALO / DIAMOND LEAGUE AG)