- Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the overall men’s short distance title in the 2025 Kingston Grand Slam Track.
- Wanyonyi triumphed in the 1500m race on Saturday before finishing second in the 800m discipline a day after.
- Wanyonyi received a reward of $100,000 after finishing at the top of the men’s short distance rankings with 20 points.
One-time Olympic Games champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has been crowned the men’s short distance (1500 and 800m) champion at the just ended 2025 Kingston Grand Slam Track.
Wanyonyi won the title after amassing a total of 20 points from the two races he took part in on Saturday and Sunday.
Wanyonyi, who was one of the Challengers in the category that had the likes of Canada’s Marco Arop and United States’ ace Yared Nuguse, won the 1500m race on Saturday in a time of 3:35.18.
He went on to finish second in his favorite 800m race behind his rival Arop in a race that saw the Canadian outwit him tactically.
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Wanyonyi clocked 1:46.44 in that race where the reigning 1500m Olympic Games winner Cole Hocker (1:47.02) settled for the third position, while Arop crossed the finishing line in 1:45.12.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi explained how he approached Kingston Grand Slam Track
The athlete, who hails from Trans Nzoia County, stated after the conclusion of the races that his target was to win the first Grand Slam Track title.
“I feel so happy to become champion of the first Grand Slam. So, I thank God for today, this is very great for me.
My target here was to win this Grand Slam because of points. So, I thanked God I didn’t become position one because this is my idea. I need to become number two, then if Arop becomes number one it is not a problem for me because he is my friend,” offered Wanyonyi.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi unsure of taking up in the upcoming Grand Slam Track Series
The multiple Diamond League winner added that he is ready to feature in other Grand Slam Track series should his coach give him the go ahead.
When asked about his experience in the Caribbean nation, Wanyonyi stated that he felt at home.
“I feel so happy to be in Jamaica. Jamaica is a nice place. If you compare to Kenya, Jamaica looks like Kenya exactly, everything,” he explained.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins over Ksh 12.9M at Kingston Grand Slam Track
The 20-year-old was awarded an appetizing prize money of $100,000 (approximately Ksh 12,925,000) for finishing at the top of the rankings.
Arop, who finished second received $50,000, while Nuguse pocketed $30,000 in an event where everyone, including the last placed runner got monetary awards.
The prize money is expected to be deducted due to the usual tax procedure and other experiences such as agent fees.
After Kingston, Wanyonyi is likely to feature in the next Grand Slam Track series that is scheduled to take place in Miami, United States between May 2 and May 4, 2025.
Kingston Grand Slam Track men’s short distance final standings
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi: 20 points
- Marco Arop: 15 points
- Yared Nuguse: 11 points
- Cole Hocker: 10 points
- Neil Gourley: 10 points
- Bryce Hoppel: 8 points
- Josh Kerr: 5 points
- Mohamed Attaoui: 3 points
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