Emmanuel Wanyonyi coy on breaking 800m world record despite coming close

Reigning 800m Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has disclosed that he is under no pressure to break the two-lap race world record after coming close in Stockholm, Sweden.

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Wanyonyi clocked a world-leading time of 1:41.95 to win the 800m during the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday, 15 June.

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Algerian Djamel Sedjati was second in 1:42.27 as America’s Josh Hoey came third in 1:42.43, the duo improving from their performances in Oslo, Norway.

Wanyonyi also claimed victory in Oslo in 1:42.78 amid a strong challenge from Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.90), and Algerian Djamel Sedjati ran in 1:43.06

Wanyonyi’s performance in Stockholm came close to breaking the 1:40.91 800m world record set by his compatriot, David Rudisha, at the 2012 London Olympics and remains the only person to run under 1:41.

Speaking to Runner Space after the race, the 20-year-old noted that he is just focusing on how to make himself better and not so much on the world record.

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“I need to run my race in the 800m, and I don’t need to feel any pressure because this is a competitive race.

I just focus on myself from now until the next event. I decided to run the 1500m for my endurance in the 800m,” said Wanyonyi.

The reigning 800m Diamond League winner, who controlled the race from the start and pulled away from the rest of the pack in the last 200 meters, also opened up on the tactics deployed in the race.

“The performance was so good for me. When I arrived at the stadium, I told myself that I needed to run very fast and test my speed and endurance and therefore decided to go in front and keep the pace to the end,” he added.

Nevertheless, Wanyonyi, who is tied in second place in the all-time 800m list with a personal best of 1:41.11, has his eyes set on gold at the upcoming World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, which will be held from Saturday, 13 to Sunday, 21 September.

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“This was the perfect race for me. It showed that I am progressing well towards September, and so I just need to go back to training and discuss with my coach to see what I can do to run better in Tokyo,” he stated.

Asked whether he can run faster and break the world record, the 2021 World U20 Championship winner affirmed with confidence.

“Yes. Why not?”