'I Need to Run the 800m Very Fast' - Inside Emmanuel Wanyonyi's World Record Chase

Reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has opened up about the chances of breaking David Rudisha’s 800m world record in the 2025 season.

The world record stands at 1:40.91 and was set by David Rudisha as he won the Olympic title in the 800m at the 2012 London Games.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi was close to breaking the world record in the 2024 season, clocking a stunning 1:41 four times that year.

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Wanyonyi clocked 1:41.70 at the Kenyan Olympic trials before dropping 1:41.58 to finish second at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris.

While winning the Olympic title, Emmanuel Wanyonyi clocked an impressive 1:41.19 to cross the finish line. He was not done after the Paris Olympic Games, having clocked 1:41.11 to win the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne.

The world 800m silver medallist now has a chance of fulfilling his lifelong dream this season, breaking the world record.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi noted that his goal is to drop fast times over the distance and, hopefully, during the process, set the world record.

He expressed dissatisfaction with his personal best time, noting that it would be great if he could lower that time as many times as he can.

“This year, I need to run the 800m very fast, and I need to run my personal best time. I’m happy with the 1:41, but I need to try and run faster again,” Emmanuel Wanyonyi said.

“Winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games changed my life, but it did not affect me mentally, because I need to run another Olympics in Los Angeles, so I need to stay focused and train well.”

Emmanuel Wanyonyi added that he is ready to win the race, just like he did at the 2024 edition of the Diamond League in Rabat.

Wanyonyi, however, cautioned that he will not be looking to drop a fast time since it is the first Diamond League he will be competing in.

The 20-year-old added that his focus this season will solely be on the 800m, adding that he might switch to the 1500m in the near future.

“First of all, I’m ready to defend my title tomorrow…I don’t need to talk too much, but just show my fans that I can do it,” Emmanuel Wanyonyi said.

“This is my first Diamond League for this, and I don’t expect to run very fast. I need to run my race tomorrow and have fun. I will not run the 1500m in Tokyo, I need to run the 800m, and I’m not rushing to the 1500m very fast.”

Emmanuel Wanyonyi has already made waves in his first races of the season, winning the 2km at the National Cross-Country Championships.

Wanyonyi also competed at the first leg of the Grand Slam Track in Kingston, Jamaica, winning the 1500m and finishing second in the 800m.

Wanyonyi also won the mile road at the Adizero Road to Records, and he will now lock horns with top contenders in the 800m in Rabat.