Emmanuel Wanyonyi outlines next move after near world-leading performance in Oslo
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 11.06.26. | 22:00
The Kenyan middle-distance star produced a season's best performance of 1:42.09 but had to settle for second place behind American teenage sensation Cooper Lutkenhaus
Olympic and world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has revealed that he will head back home to resume training and spend time with his newborn daughter after narrowly missing victory at the Oslo Diamond League on Wednesday, 10 June.
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The Kenyan middle-distance star produced a season's best performance of 1:42.09 but had to settle for second place behind American teenage sensation Cooper Lutkenhaus, who continued his remarkable rise with a world-leading 1:42.08.
In a race that lived up to its billing, Wanyonyi and Lutkenhaus separated themselves from the rest of the field in the closing stages before the 17-year-old American found another gear in the final stretch to edge the reigning Olympic champion by one hundredth of a second.
Canada's Marco Arop completed the podium in 1:43.33.
Despite missing out on victory, Wanyonyi was encouraged by his performance and revealed that his focus now shifts to preparing for his next outing at the Monaco Diamond League.
"I am planning to go home tomorrow to train for the next race in Monaco and to enjoy some time with my family," Wanyonyi said.
The 21-year-old has had plenty to celebrate away from the track after recently becoming a father for the first time. During the post-race interview, he revealed that his daughter is named Noela and credited her with providing extra motivation.
"Even my coach told me: 'Remember that your daughter is watching you now.' Her name is Noela," he said.
Wanyonyi admitted he was impressed by Lutkenhaus' strength and maturity, especially given that the American is still only 17 years old.
The Kenyan had taken the race to the field from the front and looked poised to deliver another statement performance before Lutkenhaus surged past him in the closing stages.
"This boy is in good shape. Can you believe that as an Olympic champion, you are trying to knock down a 17-year-old boy?" Wanyonyi said with a smile.
"I started the race in front, and after 600 metres to go, I tried to see who was coming to push me. Then I saw him passing me, so then I tried to respond,” he continued.
While the result denied him a successful defence of his Oslo title, Wanyonyi was pleased to achieve his primary objective for the evening.
"But my target today was to run my SB (season's best), to improve. The season is still early. Actually, I feel so happy to run; my daughter is watching me,” he offered.
The performance showed Wanyonyi's strong early-season form as he continues building towards the Ultimate Championships and Commonwealth Games later this year.
Having opened his Diamond League campaign with a second-place finish in Rabat before narrowly missing out in Oslo, the Kenyan remains one of the favourites in the men's 800m.
However, the emergence of Lutkenhaus has added a fascinating new dimension to the event, with the teenager now establishing himself as a genuine threat to the sport's established stars.