Emmanuel Wanyonyi credits former world champion for his great form after stunning star-studded field in Paris

Teenage sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi has credited former world champion Janeth Jepkosgei for his meteoric rise after he stunned a star-studded field to win the Paris Diamond League on Friday.

Wanyonyi claimed victory amid stiff competition from world bronze medallist Canadian Marco Rop, Algerian Slimane Moula, Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal as well as world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir.

In what was his second Diamond League victory after retaining his crown in Rabat (1:44.36), the 18-year-old clocked 1:43.27, a world lead and his personal best, with Rop managing 1:43.30 while Moula timed 1:43.38 to finish second and third respectively.

Wanyonyi, who timed 1:43.32 to win the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi last month credited good tactics for helping him outsmart the experienced runners in the race.

“I train with Janet Jepkosgei and my training has been really good. I have a good finishing kick. This is my first year as a senior. I was focusing on the finish, my race tactics was to be with the pack until the last 150m and then to kick it,” Wanyonyi said.

“I thought I would have dropped them but they gave me a hard time, especially the Olympic champion (Emmanuel) Korir. My target was to win and I achieved this goal, I am excited and I thank God for this victory.”

The 2021 World Under-20 800m champion is hitting form at the right time with two months two go before the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and he looks like one of Kenya’s medal prospects.

Working with Jepkosgei, the 2007 world champion, seems to be paying off big time and at 18, he will hope to gather enough knowledge that will commend in handy in future.