Wanyonyi wary of stiff competition for slots ahead of Budapest showdown

Kip Keino Classic back-to-back 800m men’s winner Emmanuel Wanyonyi says the biggest challenge in his quest for a world championship medal this year is winning the Kenyan ticket when the trials are held.

Wanyonyi, the 2021 Under-20 champion in the two-lap distance won a battle between him and Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal at this year’s Classic, clocking a world-leading Personal Best (PB) of 1:43.32 that also improved the meeting record by more than a second.

Kinyamal was second in 1:43.66, while 2019 world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot finished third in 1:44.99.

The time at Kasarani qualified the teenage sensation for the eagerly-awaited World Athletics Championships set for Budapest in August, adding to the deep field expected to line up for the national trials.

“Qualifying for Budapest was never in doubt but now that hitting the entry standard time is out of the way, the biggest hurdle will be booking the ticket from the Kenyan trials that are bound to be very competitive.

I know it will be tough with all the talented runners so I will need to be in the best form to fight for that ticket. After that I can think of medaling at the world championships,” Wanyonyi who finished fourth on his debut at the world champions in Oregon last year said.

Mweresa working to lower PB before Budapest showdown

The former world under 20 champion unleashed a killer finishing kick on the home straight, during the Classic, to pip Kinyamal to the title as he received a thunderous applaud from the fully packed stadium.

“My coach had assured me of a reward if I set a meeting record. I have no idea what he has in store for me but that helped me push to the finish as I felt I had enough in my tank to kick for the win," Wanyonyi explained.

So deep is Kenya’s 800 m field that three, in Wanyonyi, Kinyamal and Collins Kipruto have already hit the qualification standard time.

Five more Kenyans Nicholas Kebenei, 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships silver medalist Noah Kibet, Elias Ngeny, Olympics silver medalist Ferguson Rotich and Koitatoi Kidali are currently through via the World Rankings quota.

Additionally, Kelvin Kimutai, Duncan Kangere and William Rayian are on the qualified list by virtue of the Next best by World Ranking. With many just getting started on their outdoor season, more numbers are expected on the list making the selection trials an uphill task.

The only man who can rest easy is defending champion and Olympics title holders Emmanuel Korir who is assured of the trip to Budapest by virtue of his wild card.