Emmanuel Wanyonyi Storms to Men’s 800m Title with Championship Record in Tokyo
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered a thrilling performance to capture gold in the men’s 800 metres final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday night (20 September), clocking a championship record of 1:41.86.
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The 20-year-old led from the front in the National Stadium and held his form through a furious homestretch battle, edging out Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati and Canada’s defending champion Marco Arop in one of the fastest and most competitive finals in history. Sedjati took silver in 1:41.90, while Arop clinched bronze with 1:41.95—both recording season’s bests.
The race produced extraordinary depth, with half the field breaking 1:42. Irishman Cian McPhillips smashed the national record with 1:42.15 to finish fourth, surging late to move past Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui (fifth in 1:42.21). Britain’s Max Burgin also impressed with a personal best of 1:42.29 in sixth, while Jamaica’s Navasky Anderson broke the Jamaican record with 1:42.76 for seventh. Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela rounded out the field in 1:42.77.
Wanyonyi’s win adds to Kenya’s rich history in the 800 metres, with his fearless front-running style reminiscent of David Rudisha’s iconic Olympic victories. “I knew I had to take control early. The last 100 metres were very tough, but I believed I could hold on,” said the champion after the race."
“I didn't take this race for granted. I wanted to do everything to secure the gold. Now I need to defend this title. I want to be a double world champion. Maybe I will start to think about the world record too. I met Rudisha yesterday. He told me just to take a rest and focus, and everything is possible The race was fast and hard. I knew it was going to be like this. I prepared myself mentally for it.”
Men’s 800m Final – Tokyo 2025 Results
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) — 1:41.86 CR
- Djamel Sedjati (ALG) — 1:41.90 SB
- Marco Arop (CAN) — 1:41.95 SB
- Cian McPhillips (IRL) — 1:42.15 NR
- Mohamed Attaoui (ESP) — 1:42.21 SB
- Max Burgin (GBR) — 1:42.29 PB
- Navasky Anderson (JAM) — 1:42.76 NR
- Tshepiso Masalela (BOT) — 1:42.77
Women’s 5000 metres final:
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the women’s 5000 metres final in 14:54.36. Chebet completed the 5000m-10000m double at these championships repeating the same feat she achieved at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Beatrice Chebet: “Running with the likes of Faith and Nadia, you just have to believe in yourself. Today was not an easy race. I came here without pressure and I knew I should not stress myself. If you lose or win, you need to believe in yourself and in being able to come back stronger.
Chebet beat 1500m world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, who won the silver medal in 14:55.42 in a tactical race. Nadia Battocletti, Olympic and world silver medallist in the 10000 metres, claimed the bronze medal in 14:55.42 becoming the second Italian woman in history to win a world championships medal in the 5000after Roberta Brunet in Athens 1997. Italy won a record seventh medal at these championships.
Nadia Battocletti: “It was hard because I was a bit tired affer win the silver medal over 10000m, but all my rivals were feeling the same. Faith Kipyegon ran five races. Chebet and me did three. We have to be recovered for a performance like tonight. I said to my coach that I wanted to to run at the front and take a risk. It was a very tactical race. When I was on the 4200m mak I saw the American girls and I understood that all my rivals were waiting for me.”
All three medallists won their second medal at these championships.
Chebet and Kipyegon ran on the shoulder of Battocletti in the final lap before launching their kick in the final stages.
Chebet outkicked Kipygeon on the final straight.
Shelby Houlihan crossed the finish-line in 14:57.42 ahead of former world record holder Gudaf Tsegay (14:57.82). Ethiopia is still without gold medals at these championships.
Second day of the Women’s heptathlon:
US Anna Hall won her first world gold medal in the women’s heptathlon with 6888 points. Hall completed her set of medals after winning bronze in Eugene 2022 and silver in Budapest 2023.
Ireland’s Kate O’Connor finished second with a PB of 6714 points. O’Connor set PBs in five events and became the first ever Irish medallist in the heptathlon at the World Championships.
Double world champion Katarina Johnson Thompson and Tallyah Brooks shared the bronze medal with 6581 points.
Hall ended the first day with a score of 4154 points and a lead of 248 points over O’Conner. The US athlete was just seven points shy of her first-day score en route to the world lead of 7032 points set in Goetzis. O’Connor was second with 3906 points ahead of Johnson Thompson (3893).
Hall’s lead narrowed to 217 points as she leapt to 6.17m in the long jump compared to O’Connor’s 6.22m.
Brooks improved her PB to 6.79m in the long jump in the first event of the second day to move into second place in the overall standing. Johnson Thompson leapt to 6.42m and closed the gap on O’Connor to just 50 points.
Three-time Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam pulled out the competition after the long jump.
Hall set a PB 48.13m in the javelin throw to remain in the lead with 5856 points. O’Connor, who slipped to fourth in the standings after the long jump, improved her PB to 53.06m in the javelin throw to move back into second place 122 points behind Hall.
O’Connor had a comfortable lead over Brooks, who was third with 5662 after throwing the javelin to 43.47m. Johnson Thompson chased in fourth place with 5578 points after her throw of 41.91m.
Hall crossed the finish-line in 2:06.08 in the 800 metres to bring her total tally to 6888 points. O’Connor set a PB of 2:09.56 to improve her national record to 6714 points.
Hall has become the first US specialist to win a world heptathlon title since Jackie Joyner Kersee.
Anna Hall: "This gold means so much. I am so glad to finally get my gold. I struggled with injuries in 2024 and my body did not let me perform to my full potential in Paris (at the Olympics). Moving forward, I will continue to put my head down and try to improve in every event."
Brooks clocked 2:13.17 to achieve exactly the same score of 6581 points as Johnson Thompson, who finished second in the 800m in 2:07.38.
Katarina Johnson Thompson: "I have no words. I'm still in a bit of disbelief. I've done this so many times it doesn't get any easier. It really does mean the world to me. I did not celebrate until they put the medal around my neck. I have never seen it happen before and I have been around for a long time, but I am so happy one of us did not lose by one point, because that would have been heartbreaking.”
Sandrina Sprengel from Germany finished fifth with a PB of 6434, just two points ahead of Dutch heptathlete Sofie Dokter. Saga Vanninen, European and world indoor champion and European under 23 gold medallist, placed seventh with 6396 points ahead Jade O’Dowda from Great Britain (6391).
Women’s shot put final:
Two-time European champion Jessica Schilder from the Netherlands won her first global medal with 20.29m.
Jessica Schilder: “I still cannot believe it has happened. Not because I was not prepared, but I became ill last week. I had a fever for three days. That is why my confidence was lower and I didn't think it was possible anymore to get a medal here. But my coach said that nothing is impossible, and I believed him 100%. Even after not such a good start to the final, I said that I'm going to try until the end. And it worked.”
Olympic silver medallist Maddison Lee Wesche from New Zealand led from the first round when she equalled her PB of 20.06m. Lee Wesche maintained her lead until the sixth round when Schilder achieved her best ever throw in a major championship with 20.29m. Schilder crowned a successful season in which she won the European indoor gold medal in Apeldoorn in front of her home fans and the Diamond League title in Zurich.
Chase Jackson clinched the bronze medal with a throw of 20.21m in the sixth round collecting her third medal of her career after winning two world titles in Eugene 2021 and Budapest 2023.
Women’s javelin throw final:
Ecuador’s Juleisy Angulo won a surprising world gold title setting a national record of 65.12m in the women’s javelin throw. Angulo was the only athlete to throw beyond the 65 metres barrier.
Latvia’s Anete Sietina improved her PB to 64.64m to win the silver medal. Mackenzie Little from Australia claimed the bronze medal with 63.58m.
Juleisy Angulo: “My goal here was to reach the final so I am very emotional, in shock. I still can't believe it. My training partner Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado, of Colombia, who finished sixth at these championships, won silver two years ago and I thought I could be at that level one day. I dreamed of a world medal since I started athletics. I have faced some adversities, such as two surgeries in my left knee. But I never gave up.”
Women’s 20 km walking race:
Maria Perez from Spain successfully defended her world title in the women’s 20 km walking race in 1:25:54. Perez completed her double-double a few days after winning her second world gold medal in the 35 km.
Perez crossed the finish-line In 1:25:54 inside the Japan National Stadium 12 seconds ahead of Mexico’s Alegna Gonzales, who set a North American record of 1:26:06.
Maria Perez: “I have been in five World Championships and this is my fourth medal. I am the happiest woman in the world. I did not come here today to make history in women's sport. I just came to improve myself and not focus on the time. I responded well to the changes in pace. I knew where my limits were. It was not easy, but I managed to have time to celebrate at the end. Last time in Japan at the Olympics in 2021), I left with a bittersweet taste because I finished fourth. I am leaving happy now. I dedicate this medal to my friend Antonella Palmisano.”
Nanako Fuji from Japan finished third in 1:26:18 edging world 35 km bronze medallist Paula Milena Torres from Ecuador with the same time claiming the second world medal at this edition for the home team following the bronze medal won by Hayato Katsuki In the 35 km walking race.
Nanako Fuji: “Winning the bronze medal in my country feels very special. I am honoured to do it at home. The colder weather today probably helped me. I am wearing the black ribbon in honour of my coach, who passed away last month. I know he is looking after me from above.”
Torres overtook Peru’s Kimberly Garcia during the final stages of the race on the track. Garcia, double world champion in the 20 km and 35 km in Eugene 2022, crossed the finish-line in fifth place in a national record of 1:26:22.
World record holder Yang Jiayu from China, who beat Perez to win the Olympic title in Paris 2024, took sixth place in a seasonal best of 1:27:16 ahead of Spain’s Antia Chamosa (1:27:55) and China’s Wu Quanming (1:28:08).
Antonella Palmisano, world silver medallist in the 35 km on the first day of these championships dropped out of the 20 km race after the 10 km mark. Palmisano embraced her friend Maria Perez after the race.
Seven women remained in contention at the halfway mark. Perez and Leon went through at 10 km in 43:37 ahead of Yang, Gonzales, Fuji, Wu and Torres.
Perez pushed the pace together with Gonzales, Fuji and Leon. They went through at the 15 km in 1:04:59. Perez pulled away at 16 km taking a lead of three seconds over Gonzales and Fuji. Perez increased her lead to nine seconds over Gonzales at 18 km. Fuji was four seconds further back with a lead of 10 seconds over Leon.
Men’s 20 km walking race:
Brazil’s Caio Bonfim claimed the world gold medal in the men’s 20 km walking race in 1:18:35. Bonfim overtook China’s Zhaozhao Wang and Spain’s Paul McGrath during the last lap.
Caio Bonfim: “I overtook the Chinese and Spanish athletes on the last lap, but I thought I was second and accelerated to try to win a medal. I lost my wedding ring in the third kilometre. I believe my wife will be OK because I won today,” he said. “The oldest of my three children, Miguel, told me he missed me. I said that my success could compensate for my absence. I am here for him and I made sure my effort was worthy of him.”
China’s Wang Zhaozhao finished second in 1:18:43 claiming the first medal of his career at the World Championships after winning the Asian Championships title last May and the Asian Games silver in 2023. Paul McGrath won the bronze medal in 1:18:45 two seconds behind Wang Zhaozhao to claim the first medal of his career at the World Championships.
Men’s decathlon (first day):
US champion Kyle Garland is the overnight leader in the men’s decathlon with 4707, just seven points shy of his first day score from the US Championships in Eugene, where he set a world lead of 8869 points. Sander Skotheim from Norway is second with 4543. The Norwegian athlete is just 68 points of the pace he set when he won in Goetzis with a world lead of 8909 points.
Garland opened the competition with 10.51 in the 100 metres before leaping to 7.92m in the long jump to take the overall lead. He threw to 17.02m in the shot put to extend his lead.
World and indoor champion Sander Skotheim clocked 10.91 in the 100 metres before leaping to 7.97m in the long jump. He followed with 14.50m in the shot put.
Skotheim cleared 2.14m in the high jump to Garland’s 2.11m and closed the gap on his US rival.
Skotheim clocked 47.86 in the 400 metres, while Garland crossed the finish-line in 48.73. Damian Warner from Canada, Olympic champion, withdrew from the competition after suffering from an achilles tendon injury in the warm-up.
Kyle Garland: “It was a really good day. I came to the competition knowing what I was capable of doing. I gave people a bit of heart attack. During the long jump, but I was able to keep cool, keep my composure, and put on a really good on my last attempt.
Men’s 4x100 relay semifinal:
Canada, Olympic champions in Paris in 2024, stormed to a win in the first semifinal in 37.85. The Canadian team featuring Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and André De Grasse beat USA (Christian Coleman, Ronnie Baker, Trayvon Bromell and T’Mars McCallum), who qualified for the final in second place in 37.98 ahead of Germany, who claimed third place setting a seasonal best of 38.12. Jamaica, featuring Ackeem Blake, 100m world champion Oblique Seville, Ryiem Forde and Olympic and world silver medallist Kishane Thompson, messed up the final handover.
Ghana (Ibrahim Fuseini, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, Abdul Rasheed Saminu) took a surprising win in the second semifinal with a national record of 37.79 ahead of the Netherlands (37.96) and Japan (38.07).
South Africa was not able to finish after an accidental contact with Marcel Jacobs on the first changeover. South Africa was not able to complete the exchange. The South Africans have been given a second chance to re-run the heat on Sunday.
Women’s 4x100 relay semifinals.
Jamaica (Jodean Williiams, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton and Jonielle Smith) stormed to a win in the women’s 4x100 in the first semifinal in 41.80 ahead of Spain (42.53) and France (42.53).
The US team won the second semifinal in a world leading time of 41.60. Gina Luckenkemper anchored Germany to second place in 41.86 edging Great Britain, who secured the third automatic qualifying spot in 41.88.
Canada set the national record of 42.88 to advance to the final. Poland claimed the final automatic qualifying spot in in 42.83.
Men’s 4x400 relay heats:
South Africa won the first heat in 2:58.81. Qatar finished second setting a national record of 3:00.15. The Netherlands clocked 3:00.23 to secure the third automatic qualifying spot.
The US team failed to advance automatically to the final after colliding with the Zambia team during the third handover. The defending champions crossed the finish-line sixth in 3:01.06. Officials ruled that the US and Kenyan teams were impeded by Zambia. Following the disqualification of the Zambian team, he USA and Kenya will have a chance to re-run the heat on Sunday.
Botswana clocked the fastest time in 4x400 relay heats with 2:57.68. Letisle Tebogo ran the third leg. Belgium finished second in 2:57.98. Australia crossed the finish-line, but they were later disqualified due to a baton exchange outside the legal take-over zone. Great Britain moved into the third qualifying spot in 2:58.11.
Women’s 4x400 relay heats:
The US team formed by Alexis Holmes, Rosey Effiong, Quanera Hayes and Britton Wilson led the qualifiers in the women’s 4x400 relay heats in a world lead of 3:22.53 ahead of Belgium (3:23.96).
Jamaica (Dejanea Oackley, Stacey Ann Wiiiams, Roneisha McGregor and Nickisha Pryce) won the first heat with 3.22.77. The Norwegian team anchored by European under 23 champion Henriette Jaeger set a national record of 3:23.84.
Men’s discus throw qualifying round:
Reigning world champion Daniel Stahl led the qualifying round in the men’s discus throw with 69.90m. Kristjan Ceh reached the second automatic qualifying round with 68.08m. Lithuanian brothers Martinas Alekna and Mykolas Alekna reached the final with 67.15m and 65.39m.
