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Emmanuel Wanyonyi won Olympic gold in the 800m becoming history's third-fastest runner after outpacing rivals Arop and Sedjati in Paris.
World 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi added a historic layer to his burgeoning track legacy by clinching gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making him the third fastest man in the history of the event.
The 20-year-old stellar performance at the Stade de France on Saturday night not only secured him an Olympic record but also extended Kenya's dominance in the event to an unprecedented 16 years.
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Wanyonyi has revisited his tactical prowess that led to his victory over a formidable field, including Canada's Marco Arop and Algeria's Djamel Sedjati.
"This race was tough. I felt more pressure because I knew it was not easy. Sedjati is not easy (to beat), he's a tough guy. So I needed to run very fast, that's why I led from the start to the finishing line. It was not easy for me," Wanyonyi confessed post-race.
The young athlete's strategy was clear from the onset. Breaking the stagger early, he surged to the front within the first 200 metres, marking a swift opening lap of 50.3 seconds.
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Although France’s Gabriel Tual momentarily took the lead at 500 metres, Wanyonyi quickly reclaimed it as the race entered its crucial final curve.
The climax of the race saw a thrilling duel with Arop, echoing their encounter at last year's World Championships in Budapest where Arop took the gold but time Wanyonyi was prepared.
"Arop beat me last year because of experience," he explained. "He came from the back, then he beat me in the last 20 metres. So, this time, nobody can beat me times two," he added.
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Faith Kipyegon overcame a challenging setback in the 5000m to clinch her historic third consecutive Olympic title in the 1500m.
Wanyonyi’s gold medal run of 1:41.19 not only placed him third on the all-time list, trailing only behind David Rudisha and Wilson Kipketer, but also kept alive Kenya’s remarkable streak of five consecutive gold medals in the men's 800m at the Olympics—a streak starting in 2008.
Arop, who finished a close second with a North American record time of 1:41.20, praised Wanyonyi's performance.
“In that moment, you just try to focus on your cues, you try to stay technical, try not to fall apart, and I did everything I could. It's not the first time we've had a finish like that, Wanyonyi and I. He's an incredible athlete.
And you know, it's not going to be the last time we have a race like that. Hopefully next time we race, it'll be me on top, but I’ve got to give him credit where credit is due.” Arop admitted.
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08:30 - 11.08.2024
Gudaf Tsegay’s dirty tricks fail to pay off as Kenyans have last laugh at Paris Olympics
The Ethiopian athlete tried to win at all costs at Paris Olympics but her dirty tricks proved costly instead as she ended up empty handed despite signing up for three races.
The Kenyan prodigy, reflecting on his journey and strategy, shared that he had prayed before the final, seeking divine support for his front-running tactic.
"I prayed, and my prayers were answered. Running from the front and using a powerful finishing kick was my plan, and it worked perfectly today," he said with a smile.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi is now the twelfth different Kenyan man to win a medal in the 800m at the Olympics, a lineage of excellence that began with Wilson Kiprugut's bronze in 1964 in Tokyo.
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