-
Emmanuel Wanyonyi stormed to victory in the men’s 800m at the 2025 Stockholm Diamond League, clocking a sensational world-leading time of 1:41.95.
-
The Kenyan middle-distance star secured his second consecutive Diamond League win of the season, having opened his campaign with a dominant performance in Rabat.
-
Hot on his heels was Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who finished second, while Josh Hoey of the United States claimed third in a fast-paced race that thrilled the Swedish crowd.
The 19-year-old Kenyan, who is already being compared to legend David Rudisha, delivered a masterclass performance, holding off fierce competition to win one of the fastest two-lap races seen this season. It was his second Diamond League win in just three days and the fifth-fastest time of his career, sending a clear message ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo.
Racing from lane eight, Wanyonyi didn’t hesitate. He surged to the front from the gun, locking into position just behind the pacemaker. He took the bell at the halfway mark in the lead and never looked back. His powerful stride and fluid running form kept him ahead, even as the field behind tried to reel him in.
Djamel Sedjati of Algeria, one of Wanyonyi’s top rivals and the world bronze medallist, gave chase down the final stretch but couldn’t close the gap. Sedjati crossed the line in 1:42.27, his new season’s best, while Australian Josh Hoey clocked a personal best of 1:42.43 to claim third.
World lead for Wanyonyi!
The 800m star holds off Djamel Sedjati on the home straight to clock 1:41.95, the fastest time in the world this year.#StockholmDL#DiamondLeague
Thomas Windestam pic.twitter.com/dVWTpAmxFf— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) June 15, 2025
Five runners finished under 1:43.00 — an indicator of just how brutal and fast this race was. Wanyonyi’s performance dragged the field to their best times of the season or careers, proving he’s not just running to win, but setting the pace for others to follow.
Speaking after the race, Wanyonyi admitted he wasn’t at his physical best, but still managed to dig deep when it mattered.
“My body didn’t feel great but I kept pushing. I have a lot of mileage in my legs and need to start speedwork to improve my finish,” he said. “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.”
Wanyonyi’s time now stands as the world lead for 2025, pushing him even closer to the 1:40.91 world record set by Rudisha in 2012. With consistency, smart race management, and more speedwork — as he’s pointed out — that legendary mark might soon come under threat.
His coach and training team will certainly be watching with pride and strategic intent, especially as Wanyonyi aims to dominate the global stage later this year.
Sedjati, who pushed hard in the final 100m, also praised the quality of the field and confirmed he was just getting started this season.
“It was a good competition for me and a good time. I am happy because I ran in Oslo only three days ago and it went well there, too,” Sedjati said. “This is only my second race of the season so I have much more to come and next, I will go to Monaco, where I hope to run faster.”
Elsewhere on the track, Kenya’s Caroline Nyaga was involved in a thrilling women’s 3000m battle. Nyaga had taken an early lead alongside Uganda’s Serah Chelagat, attempting to break away from the pack. For a while, it looked like Nyaga’s aggressive pace would hold, but with two laps to go, Australia’s Linden Hall began closing the gap.
At the bell, Hall made her move and kicked hard down the back straight. Nyaga, unable to respond to the surge, faded in the final lap, eventually finishing fifth in a season best of 8:34.79. Her fellow Kenyan Hellen Ekalale placed sixth in a personal best of 8:36.85.
Hall took victory in a lifetime best of 8:30.01, while Chelagat set a new Ugandan national record of 8:31.27 to claim second place. Great Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald rounded off the podium with 8:32.90, another personal best on the night.
While Nyaga missed out on the top three, her front-running tactics showcased her strength and willingness to test herself early. The Kenyan camp will be hoping this experience sharpens her tactics ahead of bigger races to come.
Back in the men’s 800m, Wanyonyi’s dominance has become more than just a headline — it’s a recurring theme. Every time he steps onto the track, the conversation shifts to how close he is to rewriting history. Even in post-race interviews, Wanyonyi appears calm and collected, a champion in the making who knows how to deliver under pressure.
“I’m still working on my finish,” he admitted, even after dropping the fastest time in the world this year. That level of self-awareness — combined with his raw ability — is what separates Wanyonyi from the rest.
With the Diamond League season heating up and the Tokyo World Championships on the horizon, the question isn’t just whether Wanyonyi will win — it’s how fast he’ll go next.
READ NEXT:
