World Championships: Emmanuel Wanyonyi braces for 800m semis after dominant display
By Joel Masibo, September 17, 2025Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has set his sights on the 800m semifinals after winning his heat five at the ongoing 2025 World Athletics World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Speaking after qualifying for the semis, Wanyonyi said he needs to be keen because the race leads to the final.
“I need to be very keen in the semi-finals because it is very crucial since it leads to the finals. I have tested myself, and I’ve seen what my body can do; now I need to work harder,” Wanyonyi said after winning his 800m heat in 1:45.05 on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Wanyonyi, Kelvin Loti and Nicholas Kebenei all qualified for the men’s 800m semi-finals after a stellar run. Wanyonyi clocked 1:45.05, Loti blazed through with 1:45.35, and Nicholas Kebenei finished fourth with 1:44.91.
Wanyonyi dominates
Wanyonyi led the charge with a strong run in Heat 5 after controlling the pace from the start before crossing the line first in 1:45.05. Italy’s Francesco Pernici followed in 1:45.11, while Ireland’s Mark English took third in 1:45.13 to complete the automatic qualifying positions.
In Heat 2, Loti showed composure to claim second place. The Kenyan posted 1:45.35, just behind Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, who won in 1:45.23. Defending world champion Marco Arop of Canada was third in 1:45.39. Loti’s result underlined Kenya’s strength in the event and kept him in the hunt for a first global medal.
Kebenei faced a tougher path in the last heat. He led for much of the race but faded in the final stretch, eventually finishing fourth in 1:44.91. That time was fast enough to secure one of the non-automatic qualifying spots. The heat went to American Donovan Brazier in 1:44.66, with Algeria’s Slimane Moula and Croatia’s Marino Bloudek filling the top three.
Wanyonyi, who retained his Diamond League crown in a breathtaking finale at Zürich’s Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday, August 28, 2025, is seeking his first world title after settling for silver in Budapest two years ago.
At the Diamond League, the 21-year-old clocked 1:42.37 to win by the slimmest of margins, holding off Britain’s Max Burgin, who crossed the line in 1:42.42, missing victory by just 0.05 seconds.