Opting to debut in the mile distance rather than his usual specialty, the 19-year-old Kenyan sensation surpassed the previous world record of 3:56.13, held by USA’s Hobbs Kessler
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Kenya's remarkable 800m world silver medalist, delivered a dazzling performance on Saturday at the adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, smashing the world road mile record with a remarkable time of 3:54.56.
Opting to debut in the mile distance rather than his usual specialty, the 19-year-old Kenyan sensation surpassed the previous world record of 3:56.13, held by USA’s Hobbs Kessler since the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga 23 last October.
The immediate former record holder Kessler trailed behind Wanyonyi, crossing the finish line in second place with a time of 3:56.18, while South Africa’s Ryan Mphahlele secured third place with a time of 3:56.45.
Reflecting on his remarkable feat with World Athletics after the race, Wanyonyi expressed his joy, stating, “I feel so happy for today. It’s not easy, but I tried to push myself.” Wanyonyi, the 2021 world U20 800m champion, who also clinched the Diamond League title last year and received the men’s World Athletics Rising Star award for 2023, credited his coach for instilling belief in him and guiding him towards this momentous accomplishment.