Wanyonyi dominates in Stockholm with 800m World Lead

Olympic 800m champion and the man touted to break countryman David Rudisha's World Record, Emmanuel Wanyonyi dominated a star-studded race at the Stockholm Diamond League (DL), clocking 1:41.95 to finish ahead of closest competitor Djamel Sedjati and move closer to a third-consecutive DL title.

Wanynonyi, a world silver medalist ran a season-best 1:42.78 to take the win in the Oslo DL three days ago despite being slightly under the weather, making him a hot favourite in a rematch bringing together five of the top six finishers from that meeting.

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Racing from the outside lane, next to the pace setter, the Kenyan went right to the front off the bell and held his place, taking the bell in pole position.

Josh Hoey stayed with the former U20 champion, threatening his win, but Wanyonyi held on for victory, Sedjati working his way back to the front on the home straight for second in 1:42.27, a season best.

Josh, who started to fade away in the last 20m held on for third in a 1:42.43 PB.

This is the fifth fastest time for the world title hopeful, one that cements his favourite tag heading to Tokyo, should he maintain his form. 

"My body did not feel great but I kept pushing. I have a lot of mileage in my legs and need to start speedwork to improve my finish. I was very happy to run under 1:42, especially so soon after winning in Oslo. I will aim to make the final at the World Champs and then we will see what happens,"Wanyonyi said. 

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Meanwhile, Sedjati, who had run 1:43.06 dropped his season's best to 1:42.27. 

"It was a good competition for me and a good time, I am happy because I ran in Oslo only three days ago and it went well there, too. This is only my second race of the season so I have much more to come and next, I will go to Monaco, where I hope to run faster," he offered. 

Meanwhile in the women's 3000m , Caroline Nyaga looked strong enough for victory but she might have made her move a bit too early. She built a considerable lead with Uganda's Serah Chelagat the only one sticking with her. 

With about two laps to go Linden Hall began to real the duo in, assuming lead just as they took the bell for a battle in the final lap. 

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It was Nyaga who first showed signs of cracking, going backwards as Hall unleashed a massive kick to win in a new PB of 8:30.01. The Ugandan, Chelagat, broke the national record in 8:31.27 for second place. Innes Fitzgerald was third in a 8:32.90 PB.

Kenyans Nyaga and Hellen Ekalale settled for fifth and sixth respectively in a season best (8:3479) and PB (8:36.85) respectively.