Emmanuel Wanyonyi produced a masterful display to win the men’s 800 metres final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, setting a new championship record of 1:41.86.

The 21-year-old Kenyan held off Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who ran a season’s best 1:41.90, while Canada’s Marco Arop finished third in 1:41.95.

The victory handed Kenya its sixth gold medal of the championships and confirmed Wanyonyi’s rise as the new force in middle-distance running.

It was also a moment of redemption after he narrowly missed gold in Budapest in 2023, losing to Arop. This time, Wanyonyi stayed composed, controlled his pace, and produced a strong final kick to claim his first world title.

Wanyonyi had reached the final after a challenging semi-final race. He finished second in his heat behind Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, clocking 1:43.47. Despite being boxed in early on, he forced his way through the field to qualify.

The youngster is no stranger to pressure. Last year, he won Olympic gold in Paris, cementing his place as David Rudisha’s natural successor.

Rudisha remains the world record holder at 1:40.91, a mark set at the London 2012 Olympics.

Wanyonyi has often spoken of his desire to challenge that record in the future.

After his Tokyo triumph, he admitted it is still on his mind but stressed that consistency comes first.

“Sometimes I am thinking about the world record. I think I can break it in the future,” he said earlier this season.

Chebet and Kipyegon shine

Kenya’s success in Tokyo has gone far beyond Wanyonyi. Minutes earlier, Beatrice Chebet added another golden chapter by winning the women’s 5,000 metres in 14:54.36.

The 25-year-old had already taken the 10,000 metres title earlier in the week, completing a rare long-distance double. Faith Kipyegon claimed silver in the same race after securing her record fourth 1,500 metres world crown on Tuesday.

Peres Jepchirchir delivered gold in the women’s marathon, while Faith Cherotich won the 3,000 metres steeplechase.

Dorcus Ewoi added a silver in the 1,500 metres, and Edmund Serem and Reynold Cheruiyot picked up bronze medals in the steeplechase and 1,500 metres, respectively.

The collective effort has placed Kenya second on the medal table behind the United States.