NAIROBI, Jan. 2 -- Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon will be on the warpath as she prepares to defend her title at this year's Games in Tokyo, Japan in August.

Kipyegon, who lost out to the Netherlands' Sifan Hassan at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, says she was happy with her performance having returned six months earlier from maternity leave.

Now with a proper pre-season preparation for 2020, Kipyegon has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the duo's clash at the Tokyo Games.

"Last year Hassan was riding high in top form. She had planned her races well and she did well. She even ran a fast time to claim the world record over the mile distance," Kipyegon said on Thursday.

"I expect this year to be different from 2019 because I had a very short time to prepare for the World Championships from a maternity break. But with a good build-up for the Tokyo Olympics, I know I will be stronger," the Kenyan added.

In her best form prior to her maternity leave, the 25-year-old only suffered three defeats in 14 finals between 2016 and 2017. The diminutive Kenyan was unquestionably the world's leading woman over 1,500m during those two seasons, a tag she is keen to reclaim in 2020.

"I have the focus and it is an Olympic year. It is my main goal to retain my title in Tokyo. I have already resumed my build-up exercises to make sure that I make the team because everyone is also eyeing tickets to Tokyo," said Kipyegon.

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