TOKYO2025: Emmanuel Wanyonyi a race from clinching elusive World Championships title
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 18.09.25. | 16:28
Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui won the heat in 1:43.18, with Wanyonyi crossing the line in 1:43.47, ensuring his qualification for the final.
Paris Olympics 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has confirmed his spot in the finals of the Tokyo World Championships following a commanding performance in the semifinals on Thursday, 18 September, at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
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The result places him only one race away from winning an accolade that is missing from his glittering résumé: the senior World Championships title.
Heat One
Kenya’s Nicholas Kebenei was in action alongside Botswana’s Haingura Kethobogile. The race opened with Jamaica’s Tyrice Taylor taking an early lead, followed by Poland’s Maciej Wyderka, while Kebenei settled in third.
By the 200m mark, Canada’s Marco Arop surged ahead as Taylor dropped to second, Djamel Sedjati moved into third, and Kebenei slipped to fourth.
The positions remained largely unchanged through 300m and 400m, with Kebenei regaining third briefly before gradually falling behind in the latter stages.
At 600m, Ireland’s Mark English led the pack, with Arop and Taylor trailing, while Kebenei had dropped to eighth.
Arop eventually edged Sedjati in a photo finish to win in 1:45.09, securing his place in the final. Kebenei finished eighth in 1:49.54, ending his championship campaign.
Heat Two
Kenya’s Kelvin Kimtai Loti was unable to make an impact in his semifinal, finishing seventh in 1:44.82 and missing out on a place in the final.
Ireland’s Cian McPhillips claimed victory in a new national record of 1:43.18, followed closely by Great Britain’s Max Burgin (1:43.37), both advancing to the final.
Heat Four
Emmanuel Wanyonyi showcased his trademark speed and tactical awareness in a competitive heat that featured seasoned American Bryce Hoppel.
Wanyonyi held third place in the opening meters behind Navasky Anderson, with Yanis Meziane and Botswana’s Masalela Tshepiso occupying the front two positions.
Through 200m and 300m, Wanyonyi remained in third as Meziane led and Masalela held second.
By 500m, he dipped to fourth, trailing Anderson, Meziane, and Masalela. However, Wanyonyi surged back in the final 200m, moving into second at 600m behind Masalela, before finishing strong in second place overall.
Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui won the heat in 1:43.18, with Wanyonyi crossing the line in 1:43.47, ensuring his qualification for the final.
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