Former Olympic gold medalist and three-time world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop has expressed strong confidence in Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s ability to master the 1500m and potentially achieve a rare 800m-1500m double at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
“If he decides to go for both races in Tokyo, I’m confident he’ll medal in each,” Kiprop stated.
Wanyonyi, the current Olympic champion in the 800m, caused a stir after clinching victory in the 1500m at the first-ever Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston, Jamaica, clocking 3:35.18. The 20-year-old edged out tough competition from Americans Yared Nuguse (3:35.36) and Cole Hocker (3:35.52), with Britain’s Neil Gourley and world champion Josh Kerr finishing fourth and fifth.
This win has fueled discussions about Wanyonyi’s growing prowess in both middle-distance events. Kiprop is among those who believe he could dominate both.
“Wanyonyi’s performance shows he’s capable. Beating elite 1500m runners proves he has the talent,” Kiprop told Citizen Digital.
Kiprop also highlighted Wanyonyi’s previous wins in longer loop races like those in Iten, Lobo, and at the national championships — all of which are longer than 1500m and featured top-tier competition.
The Kingston triumph marked Wanyonyi’s third race of the 2025 season, following his commanding 2km win at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret.
Kiprop, who held the world 1500m title from 2011 to 2015, believes Wanyonyi is joining the ranks of all-time greats.
“He’s entering the league of legends like Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram, and Steve Ovett — athletes who could excel in both the 800m and 1500m, even the mile,” Kiprop noted.
He emphasized that Wanyonyi’s victory in Jamaica is no accident. As the Olympic 800m champion with a personal best of 1:41.11, and the current world road mile record holder (3:54.56 set in Germany last season), Wanyonyi’s range is rare and potent.
Kenya’s dominance in the 1500m has faded in recent years. Kiprop was the last Kenyan to win Olympic gold in 2008, while Timothy Cheruiyot last claimed the world title in 2019.
With the 2025 Tokyo World Championships approaching in September, discussions are intensifying around Wanyonyi’s chances of securing a double in both events.
“The way he’s preparing this season shows he’s aiming for something huge,” Kiprop concluded.
