Stockholm Diamond League: Wanyonyi soars with world lead as Moraa falters on birthday
Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered a blistering world-leading 1:41.95 to win the men’s 800m at the Stockholm Diamond League, while Mary Moraa, racing on her 25th birthday, was edged into second in a dramatic women's 800m finish.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi reaffirmed his status as the man to watch in the men’s 800 metres this season with a commanding run at the Stockholm Diamond League, clocking a scintillating world lead of 1:41.95 to win a race packed with talent.
Coming just three days after a dominant performance in Oslo where he ran 1:42.78 despite feeling under the weather, the Olympic silver medallist looked in imperious form, leading from the gun and holding off Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who finished second in a season’s best of 1:42.27. Australia’s Josh Hoey ran a personal best of 1:42.43 to take third.
More To Read
- Faith Cherotich runs world lead in Paris as Kenyans impress at Diamond League
- Mixed fortunes for Team Kenya in Oslo Diamond League
- Kenyan contingent gears up for Rabat Diamond League showdown
- Cheruiyot, Chepchirchir and Cherotich star as Kenyans shine at Doha Diamond League
- Kenyan stars set for Diamond League opener in China
- Wanyonyi, Chebet shine as Junior Starlets named Team of the Year at SOYA Awards
“I didn’t feel great, but I kept pushing. I have a lot of mileage in my legs, but I need to focus more on speedwork now to improve my finish,” Wanyonyi said post-race. “Running under 1:42, especially so soon after Oslo, gives me confidence heading into the World Championships.”
The win strengthens Wanyonyi’s grip on a potential third consecutive Diamond League title, and it marks the fifth-fastest time of his career—further fuelling expectations that he may one day eclipse David Rudisha’s world record.
Sedjati, who had already improved his season’s best in Oslo, lauded the competition: “It was a good race for me. This is only my second race of the season, so I believe I have more to give.”
While Wanyonyi soared, compatriot Mary Moraa suffered a painful defeat in the women’s 800m, missing out on a win on her 25th birthday.
Racing in her first Diamond League outing of the season, Moraa seemed poised for victory. True to form, the 2023 World Champion attacked from the front, taking the bell in control with World Indoor Champion Prudence Sekgodiso and Switzerland’s Audrey Werro in pursuit.
But it was Georgia Bell Hunter, storming from sixth place with 300 metres to go, who broke hearts in the final metres, pipping Moraa to the line with a season’s best 1:57.66. Moraa followed closely in 1:57.83, while Sekgodiso clocked 1:58.00 for third.
“I had some tiredness in my legs from the national championships and Grand Slam,” Moraa admitted. “I heard the crowd in the final stretch and sensed someone was coming, but I just couldn’t hold on. That’s racing.”
Elsewhere, in the women’s 3,000m, Kenya’s Caroline Nyaga looked like a potential winner after a bold move mid-race but faded in the final lap. Australia’s Linden Hall capitalised, unleashing a devastating kick to win in a personal best 8:30.01.
Uganda’s Serah Chelangat shattered the national record with 8:31.27 for second place, while Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald secured third in 8:32.90, also a personal best.
Nyaga and fellow Kenyan Hellen Ekalale finished fifth and sixth respectively in 8:34.79 (SB) and 8:36.85 (PB).
Top Stories Today
