World Athletics Championships: Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi cruises into 800m final

Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi underlined his growing reputation on the global stage after powering into the men’s 800 metres final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 19-year-old held his nerve in a tense semifinal, clocking 1:43.47 to secure second place behind Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, who won the heat in 1:43.18. Jamaica’s Navasky Anderson also impressed, breaking his national record with 1:43.72 to claim the final automatic spot.

The result means Wanyonyi will line up in Sunday’s final against some of the world’s best middle-distance runners, continuing Kenya’s proud tradition in the two-lap race.

Earlier, the opening semifinal saw Canada’s reigning world champion Marco Arop qualify in style, crossing the line in 1:45.09 alongside Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who matched him stride for stride. Ireland’s Mark English finished third in 1:45.47, falling short of the qualifying mark.

The second semifinal produced fireworks, with Ireland’s Cian McPhillips storming to victory in a new national record of 1:43.18. He edged Britain’s Max Burgin (1:43.37) in a scintillating duel, while 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier of the USA returned to form with 1:43.82 — enough to qualify as one of the two fastest losers.

With three men dipping under 1:44 in that race, the depth and quality of the 800m field were on full display.

The eight-man final is now set, featuring Arop (Canada), Sedjati (Algeria), McPhillips (Ireland), Burgin (Great Britain), Attaoui (Spain), Wanyonyi (Kenya), Anderson (Jamaica), and Brazier (USA).