'I want a village girl, I don’t want a town girl' Emmanuel Wanyonyi on finding love

At just 20 years old, reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has already earned a place among the world's greatest middle-distance runners.

However, amidst his record-breaking runs and dazzling finishes, the youngster is navigating the quest for love.

For the youngster, an ideal relationship is marked by simplicity, authenticity, and shared values.

Wanyonyi recently revealed that he is in the early stages of a relationship.

While he chose to keep his partner’s identity private, he offered fans a glimpse into their budding romance.

“I have a girlfriend, but we are still in the courtship stage, and I see her occasionally. We are still evaluating each other,” he shared with Nation.

When asked about his ideal partner, Wanyonyi made his preferences clear.

“I want a village girl, truly. I don’t want a town girl. They are way too advanced!” he said with a smirk.

Letsile Tebogo announces his first race of 2025 season

The appeal of a village girl for Wanyonyi lies in her grounded nature and traditional values, qualities that resonate deeply with his own upbringing and lifestyle.

He was born and raised in Sabaot constituency, Trans Nzoia County and is the fifth born of 11 children.

His humble background and modest upbringing continue to anchor him to the ultimate goal.

Wanyonyi began the 2024 season with a commanding victory in the men’s 2km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, setting the tone for an extraordinary year.

His dominance extended to the track, where he shattered the 1:42 barrier at the Kenyan Olympic trials, solidifying his status as a top contender.

'I don't remember how I doped'- banned Faith Chepchirchir drops bombshell

At the Paris Diamond League, he clocked a personal best of 1:41.58, becoming the fastest man over 800m this season and a clear favorite for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Wanyonyi did not disappoint. At the Olympics, he delivered a gold-medal performance with a time of 1:41.19, making him the third-fastest man over 800m in history.

He continued his streak post-Olympics, recording a blistering 1:41.11 at the Lausanne Diamond League, edging closer to David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91.

Despite his achievements, Wanyonyi’s journey is far from over.

This season, he faces formidable rivals, including world champion and Paris 2024 silver medalist Marco Arop and Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who claimed bronze in Paris.

With both athletes boasting times just fractions behind Wanyonyi’s, the competition promises to be fierce.