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Wanyonyi was a rare breed according to eye witnesses but the 20-year-old saw nothing unique in him
Paris Olympic Games 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has said he did not believe in the compliments he received from people regarding his talent while growing up.
Despite not being sure about himself, people who had seen enough of his raw talent tipped the 20-year-old to become a world beater in the not so distant future. The two-time Diamond League champion told the BBC that he had to fight self-doubt.
"People kept telling me you can make it far, Emmanuel, but I didn't believe it. I didn't see myself as anything special. I was just running."
In June this year, still aged 19, Wanyonyi became the third-fastest 800m runner of all time at Kenya’s Olympic trials. He then followed that up by winning gold at Paris 2024 in August, an achievement that will forever remain etched in the Trans Nzoia-born runner's memory.
"It is not just a title - it has a lot of significance in my life. I wish my father was here to see me run. I would even push harder because of him, because of all the love he had for me," an emotional Wanyonyi revealed.
The 2021 World U20 champion is not resting on his laurels as he looks to dethrone Marco Arop at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. The World 800m silver medallist has already revealed what he is banking on as he seeks to silence reigning world champion Arop at Japan's capital.
Wanyonyi was forced to settle for second-place at the 2023 edition of the championships in Budapest, Hungary and has promised that if all goes well in training, he will be looking to go one place better in Tokyo.
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