World Championships 25: Wanyonyi runs championship record to win 800m world title

Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi confirmed his place among the world’s best by winning the men’s 800m title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday, setting a new championship record of 1:41.86.

The 21-year-old added the world crown to his Olympic title in what turned out to be one of the fastest and most competitive two-lap races in history.

Wanyonyi held off a powerful charge from Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who stormed through in the final stretch to claim silver in 1:41.90. Canada’s defending champion Marco Arop had to settle for bronze in 1:41.95 after being edged out in the last few meters.

Ireland’s Cian McPhillips impressed with a national record of 1:42.15 to finish fourth, while Mohamed Attaoui, Max Burgin, Navasky Anderson, and Tshepiso Masalela followed close behind.

Remarkably, all eight finalists dipped under 1:43, the first time this has ever happened in an 800m race.

The showdown was a tactical thriller from the start. Wanyonyi powered into the lead after just 100m, with Arop and Burgin closely behind. At 200m, Arop surged briefly ahead, but Wanyonyi reclaimed control by 300m and dictated the pace with his long, confident strides.

By the halfway mark, the Kenyan had stamped his authority, with the field tightly bunched but unable to shake him. Arop attempted his trademark late kick in the home stretch, but Sedjati came flying on the outside to grab silver, leaving the Canadian with bronze.

The result reversed the Paris 2024 Olympic order, where Arop had finished second and Sedjati third behind Wanyonyi. This time, the Kenyan proved untouchable, etching his name into the history books with a record-breaking performance.