Emmanuel Wanyonyi reaffirmed his status as the man to watch in the men’s 800 metres this season with a commanding run at the Stockholm Diamond League, clocking a scintillating world lead of 1:41.95 to win a race packed with talent.
Coming just three days after a dominant performance in Oslo where he ran 1:42.78 despite feeling under the weather, the Olympic silver medallist looked in imperious form, leading from the gun and holding off Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who finished second in a season’s best of 1:42.27. Australia’s Josh Hoey ran a personal best of 1:42.43 to take third.
Wanyonyi says he is still getting up to shape and predicts he will produce better results once he gets up to speed.
“My body did not feel great, but I kept pushing. I have a lot of mileage in my legs and need to start speedwork to improve my finish,” said the 20-year-old.
Reflecting on a plentiful harvest in less than a week, the youngster expressed optimism of keeping up the great run heading into the World Championships in Tokyo in September this year.
“I was very happy to run under 1:42 especially so soon after winning in Oslo. I will aim to make the final at the World Champs and then we will see what happens,” said the Olympic gold medalist.
Britain’s Georgia Hunter-Bell wins women’s 800m as Moraa settles for second place
On her birthday, Kenyan world champion Mary Moraa showed strong form by taking second place in the 800m at the Stockholm Diamond League with her best time of the season, 1:57.83.
This excellent performance marks a promising start to her year as she prepares for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Moraa, known for her smart racing tactics and energetic style, led for a significant portion of the race. However, she was just edged out by Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter-Bell, who surged ahead to win with a season-best time of 1:57.66.
South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso secured third place in 1:58.00. Switzerland’s Audrey Werro finished fourth in 1:58.35, and Britain’s Jemma Reekie was fifth in 1:58.66.
“I’m happy with my race today; it’s a great way to start the season,” Moraa stated in a post-race interview reported by World Athletics.
Moraa’s performance demonstrated her readiness to compete at the highest level after a quieter start to 2025, which included her participation in Grand Slam Track events earlier in the year.
World records and thrilling sprints in Stockholm
The Stockholm Diamond League also featured other incredible performances.
Home favorite Armand “Mondo” Duplantis delighted the crowd by breaking his own pole vault world record, successfully clearing 6.28 meters on his first attempt, surpassing his previous best of 6.27 m.
Duplantis celebrated enthusiastically with his family.
In the women’s 100m, St. Lucia’s golden girl Julien Alfred set a new meeting record, which had stood for 31 years, by running a blazing 10.75 seconds. This was the second-fastest time of her career.
She outpaced Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (10.93) and Ivory Coast’s Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.00).
These impressive achievements reinforced the meet’s reputation as a venue for historic athletic feats.
Other results
Elsewhere, in the women’s 3,000m, Kenya’s Caroline Nyaga looked like a potential winner after a bold move mid-race but faded in the final lap. Australia’s Linden Hall capitalised, unleashing a devastating kick to win in a personal best 8:30.01.
Uganda’s Serah Chelangat shattered the national record with 8:31.27 for second place, while Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald secured third in 8:32.90, also a personal best.
Nyaga and fellow Kenyan Hellen Ekalale finished fifth and sixth respectively in 8:34.79 (SB) and 8:36.85 (PB)
