Wanyonyi, Koech dazzle with meet records at London Diamond League
Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Phanuel Koech Kipkosgei delivered standout performances at the London Diamond League, each setting meet records as Kenyan athletes impressed on a thrilling night of athletics on Saturday.
Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi stormed to a meet record as Kenyan athletes put on a show at the London Diamond League on Saturday evening.
Wanyonyi clocked 1:42.00 in the men’s 800m, producing a thrilling finish to reel in world champion Marco Arop of Canada, who had taken the lead with 200m to go. Arop settled for second in a season’s best of 1:42.22, while Great Britain’s Max Burgin finished third in a personal best of 1:42.36. The win adds to Wanyonyi’s sizzling form, coming just a week after his world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco.
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In the men’s 1500m, Kenya’s Phanuel Koech Kipkosgei stunned a world-class field, clocking 3:28.82 to set a meet record and secure another major victory. The World U20 record holder beat home favorite and world champion Josh Kerr, who finished second in a season’s best 3:29.37. Portugal’s Isaac Nader took third in 3:31.55.
On the women’s side, Margaret Akidor finished ninth in the 5000m with a time of 14:38.45. Despite not reaching the podium, it was a spirited run in a loaded field and one that could help her case for selection to Kenya’s team for the World Championships in Tokyo. She previously clocked 14:30.34 for fourth at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.
In other races, Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia lit up the track with a blistering 21.71s in the women’s 200m, setting both a world lead and a national record. She now ranks joint 9th on the all-time list. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith came second in 22.25s, with Amy Hunt clocking a massive personal best of 22.31s for third.
In the women’s mile, Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay smashed the Ethiopian record with a stunning 4:11.88, becoming the second-fastest woman in history over the distance. Jessica Hull of Australia set a new Oceania record of 4:13.68 for second, while Sarah Healy and Sinclaire Johnson recorded personal and national records for Ireland and the U.S., respectively.
Also notable was the return of Donavan Brazier in the men’s 800m. The American, a former world champion, finished sixth in 1:43.08 in his first major race back on the international stage
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