Olympic and world 800m champion and Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi shattered the 1,000m world record, which had stood for nearly 27 years, with a time of 2.11.83s at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday.
Noah Ngeny set the current world record of 2:11.96 in Rieti, Italy, on September 5, 1999. Wanyonyi followed the pacemakers as the first, Patryk Sieradzki, reached the 400m on world record pace in 50.95 as planned.
The second pacemaker, Louey Ouerrat, hit 800m in 1:45.11 before Wanyonyi took over and stormed towards the finish, chased hard by 2022 world 1500m champion Jake Wightman.
He charged over the line in 2:11.83, Wightman followed him in 2:12.77 to move to fifth on the world all-time list and world and Olympic medallist Djamel Sedjati was third in 2:13.94 as the top six all dipped under 2:15.
Speaking after the record-breaking race, Wanyonyi said as quoted by the IAAF website: “This was the first time I ran the 1000m and breaking the world record makes me so happy. I want to thank the other athletes who pushed me to my limit.”
Wanyonyi, however, dismissed any plans of attempting to break the 800m mark set by fellow Kenyan David Rudisha at London 2012.
“I don’t want to talk about the world record in the 800m. I first want to run fast and improve my personal best,” said Wanyonyi.
“Let me keep quiet. Actions speak louder than words.”
With his personal best of 1:41.11 set at the 2024 Lausanne Diamond League, Wanyonyi and Wilson Kipketer are tied for second place in the all-time 800 metre list, behind only Wanyonyi’s compatriot David Rudisha, who holds the world record.
Wanyonyi briefly held the world record in the road mile, with a time of 3:54.56, from April 2024 to September 2024.
Wanyonyi’s milestone will inspire many
Kenya President William Samoei Ruto led the East African nation to congratulate Wanyonyi on his latest success, saying it had shown the world the strength of Kenyan athletics.
“Congratulations to Emmanuel Wanyonyi on breaking the men’s 1000m world record with a remarkable 2:11.83 at the Monaco Diamond League, ending a 27-year wait for a new world record in the event,” said the Head of State in a statement on his social media accounts.
“Wanyonyi’s historic achievement has once again shown the world the strength of Kenyan athletics and made our nation immensely proud. His outstanding milestone will inspire many more generations of champions.”
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) official Barnabas Korir said: “This remarkable achievement, which eclipses the long-standing record of 2:11.96 set by Kenya’s Noah Ngeny in 1999, is a testament to Wanyonyi’s exceptional talent, hard work and determination.
“We are proud of you and wish you even greater success in the competitions ahead.”
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya said: “Once again, Kenya has etched its name on the global stage with yet another extraordinary feat of excellence.
“Congratulations Wanyonyi, on yet another world record set at the 1,000m Monaco Diamond League in a record time of 2:11.83. We salute your determination, discipline, and unwavering belief that nothing is impossible.”
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich raced to the world all-time list, winning the 3000m in a meeting record of 8:08.95 – the third-fastest performance in history.
