President William Ruto led congratulatory messages to Kenyan athlete Emmanuel Wanyonyi, after he broke the men’s 1000m world record at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday, July 10.
The reigning Olympic and World 800m champion once again proved his prowess on the track by shattering the record set by his Kenyan compatriot Noah Ngeny in Rieti 1999. Wanyonyi took 0.13 off Ngeny’s mark of 2:11.96.
“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,” President Ruto posted on his X, formerly Twitter, account.
According to the first in command, 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,” he added.
Jake Wightman of Great Britain came second after chasing Wanyonyi hard in the last lap. The 2022 World 1500M champion clocked 2:12.77, a time that moved hom to fifth on the world all-time list.
Alegria’s Djamel Sedjati, an Olympic and World 800m medallist, came third in 2:13.94, in a terrific race that saw all top six dipping under 2:15.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was amazed in the fashion Wanyonyi, at only 21 years, broke a 27-year world record.
“Wanyonyi’s extraordinary feat once again confirms the greatness of our nation and the potential of our youths to achieve whatever they set their eyes on here at home and on the global stage.”
It was a landmark for Wanyonyi, who is already the joint second-fastest 800m runner in history. His 1:41.11 matches Wilson Kipketer, with only David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91 ahead of them.
The 1000m race is not contested at the Olympic Games or World Athletics Championships, and is rarely run at the elite level.
