Monaco DL: Kenyan stars shine bright as Wanyonyi, Chepchirchir deliver record performances
Kenyan athletes lit up the Monaco Diamond League with a string of standout performances, as Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Nelly Chepchirchir delivered record-breaking wins in one of the most thrilling meets of the season.
Kenya’s top athletes delivered a performance at the Monaco Diamond League, with Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Nelly Chepchirchir stealing the spotlight in a night of personal bests, meet records, and national pride at Stade Louis-II.
Olympic silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi once again proved why he is the man to beat in the 800m. The 20-year-old Kenyan blazed to a world-leading 1:41.44, smashing the meet record and securing victory from gun to tape in a stacked field.
More To Read
- Monaco DL: Wanyonyi, Chepchirchir and Serem reflect on impressive performances
- Monaco DL: Serem chases breakthrough moment
- Stockholm Diamond League: Wanyonyi soars with world lead as Moraa falters on birthday
- Wanyonyi, Chebet shine as Junior Starlets named Team of the Year at SOYA Awards
- Wanyonyi, Thomas shine at inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Kingston
- Faith Kipyegon, Mary Moraa earn big after shining at Athlos NYC
Behind him, Josh Hoey of the USA finished second in a personal best 1:42.01, while Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati came in third at 1:42.20.
The race saw four men go under 1:43, highlighting the sheer class of Wanyonyi’s performance his sixth career run under 1:42, and the fastest in the world this year.
Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir continued her incredible unbeaten run in 2025, clocking a jaw-dropping 2:29.77 to win the women’s 1000m and become the fourth-fastest woman of all time over the distance.
In a historic race, Addy Wiley of the USA set a new American record with 2:30.71 to place second, while Jessica Hull of Australia smashed the Oceania record in 2:30.96 for third.
17-year-old rising star Edmund Serem, who earlier told The Eastleigh Voice he was aiming for a personal best, delivered just that.
He clocked 8:04.00 to finish third in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, behind Soufiane El Bakkali (8:03.18) and Japan’s Ryuji Miura (8:03.43), who set a national record.
“Competing with myself is the goal. I don’t focus on someone else - I just want to give my best,” Serem had said before the race. He lived up to his words.
His compatriot Abraham Kibiwott, however, struggled to find rhythm and finished a distant 18th in 8:14.81.
In the women’s 1000m, Mary Moraa, despite high expectations, couldn’t match the blistering pace of her competitors and settled for 11th place in a season-best 2:48.67.
Jacob Krop, Kenya’s only entrant in the men’s 5000m, finished seventh in a time of 13:04.81.
Elsewhere Botswana’s sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo also lit up the track in the men’s 200m, finishing second in 19.97 seconds behind American star Noah Lyles, who won the race in 19.88 in his season opener.
Tebogo, the Olympic champion, pushed hard down the home straight but couldn’t overhaul Lyles’ powerful finish, while Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba impressed with a personal best of 19.99 to claim third in the sprint finale.
Top Stories Today
