Wilfred Bungei has explained why Emmanual Wanyonyi has the potential to break David Rudisha’s 800m record that has lasted over a decade.
Former Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei has revealed why Emmanuel Wanyonyi is primed to finally break David Rudisha’s 800m record.
Bungei, who won the 800m gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, opines that Wanyonyi’s front-running gives him an edge over fiercest rival Canadian Marco Arop.
Even though Bungei acknowledges that both athletes are talented, Wanyonyi’s endurance puts him in an advantageous position this year.
David Rudisha has revealed three things about Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s running that will make the 20-year-old eventually smash his 12-year 800m record.
“The fact that Arop has the height advantage over Wanyonyi, it does count. But Wanyonyi has proven himself with his front-running. Look at how he won the Olympics he led from the gun to the tape and ran a good time. Both athletes have strengths, but Wanyonyi has the edge,” Bungei told Citizen Digital.
“It’s possible to break the record. The margins are there and all indications are there,” he added. Rudisha’s 800m record of 1:40.91 was set at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Wanyonyi, 20, achieved a memorable victory at Paris 2024, leading from the front to hold off any potential challengers for the Olympic title. He crossed the finish line in a time of 1:41.19 to win his first Olympic gold medal, becoming the third-fastest man over 800 metres in history during the process.
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Rudisha has revealed the one race he ran back in 2017 that forced him to consider early retirement from track.
He held off Marco Arop, the world champion, whose kick off the final turn put him ahead of Wanyonyi briefly before Wanyonyi took back the lead in the final steps. Arop ran a North American record of 1:41.20 for silver.
Wanyonyi further improved his personal best at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne after the Olympics, running 1:41.11 to bring himself within 0.20 seconds of the legendary world record.
“Rudisha’s record has endured, but it’s no longer untouchable. With Wanyonyi, Arop, Sedjati, and Gabriel Tual pushing the limits, it’s only a matter of time. These athletes are consistently clocking 1:41 and if they push each other in one race, the record will fall,” Bungei, 36, reiterated.
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Wanyonyi made a late surge over the last 200 meters to snatch the victory from Djamel Sedjati and Marco Arop to end his already-stellar season on a high that day.
Wanyonyi will need to be at his best this season if he is to pick up from where he left in 2024.
