Emmanuel Wanyonyi Reveals What Is Delaying Him From Joining Phanuel Koech in the 1500m

Emmanuel Wanyonyi

Emmanuel Wanyonyi Reveals What Is Delaying Him From Joining Phanuel Koech in the 1500m

Abigael Wafula 20:30 - 18.07.2025

Emmanuel Wanyonyi says there is still one goal he wants to achieve before making a possible switch to the 1500m.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi has opened up about the only milestone hindering him from switching to the 1500m and joining training mate Phanuel Koech.

The reigning Olympic 800m champion continued his winning streak, claiming top honours at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco.

He clocked a world-leading time of 1:41.44, but he believes there is potential to clock a faster time than that, and hopefully shatter the world record, before he switches to the 1500m.

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The world record, set by David Rudisha at the 2012 London Olympic Games, stands at 1:40.91, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi is currently the second-fastest man over the distance, with the 1:41.11 he ran at the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne in 2024.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi on What He Must Achieve Before Switching to 1500m

Emmanuel Wanyonyi is poised for London Diamond League showdown against Marco Arop.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi is poised for London Diamond League showdown against Marco Arop. Emmanuel Wanyonyi is poised for London Diamond League showdown against Marco Arop.

The world 800m silver medallist hailed Phanuel Koech as one of the greatest youngsters who is slowly rising through the ranks and expressed the desire to join him in the 1500m.

This season alone, Phanuel Koech has been in great shape, setting an under-20 record in the 1500m at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris when he clocked 3:27.72.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi noted that he started training with Phanuel Koech at the start of the season, and so far, things are looking up for both of them.

“First of all, the race was good…it was very competitive and I didn’t expect to run my best, but I did my best. Phanuel is my training mate. I started training with him this year. He is a good guy, and he is an upcoming talent in the 1500m,” Emmanuel Wanyonyi said in an interview with Sports Passion.

“I need to run my personal best time in the 800m, then I will join Phanuel in the 1500m. Maybe the 1500m is my race in future.”

Emmanuel Wanyonyi has also been on a roll this season, starting with the Kenyan Cross-Country Championships before racing at the Grand Slam Track debut in Kingston.

The 2021 world under-20 champion then competed at the adizero: Road to Records before beginning his Diamond League campaign in Rabat, where he finished third in the men’s 800m.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi then began his winning streak at the Bislett Games in Oslo before he brought the stadium to a standstill in Stockholm. Wanyonyi’s last competition was in Monaco, and he will be looking to maintain the hot streak in London on Saturday.