Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba smashed the women's 1,500 meters world record at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco on Friday.

The record was held for 22 years by Chinese athlete Qu Yunxia who broke the record herself at the National Games of the People's Republic of China.

Two-time world champion Dibaba turned in a confident performance, powering through the last stretch to set a new record at 3:50.07.

"I'm very happy the time is so fast, very happy for this record," Dibaba said on the track to reporters. "Finally all of this preparation is paying off. With the training I did in Barcelona, I knew I was going to break it.

"I've worked hard to get here; I would like to thank all the people who helped me."

The Ethiopian - who holds the world indoor records over 1500, 3000 and 5000m - is now out to snatch the world record for the 5000m outdoors from her highly-successful older sister, Tirunesh Dibaba.

"I'm the first from Ethiopia to get a 1500m world record and that is amazing. I think Tirunesh will be happy," she said. "One thing is clear: I will double at the world championships and let's try for the 5000m world record in Beijing."

Dibaba will compete at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, which run from August 22 until 30.