Kenyan sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered another unforgettable performance at the London Diamond League on Saturday, executing a brilliant tactical race to win the men’s 800m final in a meet-record time of 1:42.00.
The Olympic champion showcased remarkable composure and timing, letting Marco Arop take the lead with 200 meters to go before unleashing a powerful final surge to reclaim the front in the dying meters.
Full Results – Men’s 800m Final
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) – 1:42.00 (Meet Record)
- Marco Arop (Canada) – 1:42.22
- Max Burgin (Great Britain) – 1:43.85
- Bryce Hoppel (USA) – 1:44.26
- Slimane Moula (Algeria) – 1:44.37
- Saúl Ordóñez (Spain) – 1:44.58
- Ben Pattison (Great Britain) – 1:45.11
- Yanis Meziane (France) – 1:45.56
In a dramatic finish, Wanyonyi narrowly edged out the Canadian star Marco Arop, who clocked 1:42.22. Great Britain’s Max Burgin thrilled the home crowd by taking third place in 1:43.85, completing a high-quality podium lineup.
This victory marks Wanyonyi’s fourth straight Diamond League win following triumphant performances in Oslo, Stockholm, and Monaco. The 20-year-old has now emerged as the dominant force in the 800m this season, blending tactical intelligence with a lethal finishing kick that has left his competitors scrambling.
Though still trailing David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91, Wanyonyi’s London performance was a clear signal of intent. With the World Athletics Championships on the horizon, he has positioned himself as the outright favorite, not just to win gold, but to challenge historical limits in the two-lap event.
