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Wanyonyi has reflected on his stellar season but remained tight-lipped on his chances of eventually smashing Rudisha's world record in the 800 meters.
Olympic 800m gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi has remained non-committal about the possibility of breaking David Rudisha's long standing world record, despite an impressive run that saw him clinch the Diamond League trophy in Brussels last Saturday.
Wanyonyi, who had appeared set to miss out on both the title and the podium, staged a thrilling comeback in the final moments of the race.
World champion Marco Arop had taken an early lead and seemed destined for victory until Algerian Djamel Sedjati closed in, preparing to overtake. But it was Wanyonyi, seemingly from nowhere, who summoned the strength to overtake both rivals just before the finish line.
The 20-year-old Kenyan crossed the line in a blistering 1:42.70, while Sedjati followed closely with 1:42.86, and Arop settled for third at 1:43.25. The surprise finish left both Arop and Sedjati stunned, convinced they had secured the top spots. Wanyonyi's gesture after the race—tapping his head—was a clear indication that his strategic execution had paid off.
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08:30 - 16.09.2024
Marco Arop gives credit to Emmanuel Wanyonyi in heartfelt message
Marco Arop is in awe of Emmanuel Wanyonyi's exploits as he predicted when David Rudisha's world record might be broken.
“It was a very successful year for me. Now I will go back home and discuss with my coach in order to try and start building up for next year,” Wanyonyi revealed to Citius Mag after his triumph.
The Brussels race capped a remarkable season for Wanyonyi, who faced stiff competition in the 800m field. His main rivals included Canada's Arop, the reigning world champion, Sedjati, the Olympic bronze medalist, and Gabriel Tual. Notably, many of these competitors have clocked times under 1:42 multiple times in recent months, showcasing the depth of talent in the event.
Wanyonyi's ascent in the 800m began earlier in the season when he broke the 1:42 barrier for the first time at the Kenyan Olympic trials. He later lowered his personal best to 1:41.58 at a Diamond League meet in Paris, just a month before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
His dominance was solidified in Paris when he led from the front to claim his first Olympic gold medal, clocking a sensational 1:41.19. This made him the third-fastest man in history over 800 meters.
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14:00 - 15.09.2024
Emmanuel Wanyonyi on why 800m world record remained untouched at Diamond League final
The Olympic 800m gold medalist has shared insights on why the 800m world record remained unbroken by Marco Arop and Djamel Sedjati.
Wanyonyi’s impressive form continued after the Olympics at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne, where he once again improved his personal best to 1:41.11, bringing him within just 0.20 seconds of Rudisha's legendary world record.
Despite his incredible progress and the expectations placed on him, Wanyonyi remains cautious about any talk of breaking Rudisha’s 1:40.91 record, which was set at the 2012 London Olympics in one of the most iconic races in history.
Addressing the growing speculation, Wanyonyi played down the pressure of chasing Rudisha’s record. “I cannot say that I can run a world record, but I believe I am capable of setting a new personal best,” he told Citius Mag.
“When I won the Olympics, some guys told me that I had the capability to run a world record, but I said no. I prefer not to say anything at all. My aim is to just run my PB, full stop.”
His pragmatic approach stems from understanding the intensely competitive nature of the 800m event this year. “The 800 meters was very competitive this year, so it was a lot of pressure for me especially considering the competition that Marco Arop and Djamel Sedjati gave me from Spain all the way to Rome,” he added.
As he reflects on his achievements this season, Wanyonyi remains focused on future goals. Under the guidance of his coach, Claudio Berardelli, the young Kenyan is determined to build on his success and aim for even greater heights next season.
“My body responded very well because I ran my PB. I won at the Olympics, which was my target, and then I won the Diamond League, so it was a great year for me,” Wanyonyi noted.
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