Reigning 800 metre Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi fended off strong opposition to win the Diamond League title for a third consecutive year in Zurich, Switzerland.
Having led from the start, the two-lap specialist faced some strong challenge in the homestretch but he managed to fend them off as he won in 1:42.37 ahead of Great Britain’s Max Burgin and Canada’s Marco Arop.
“I thank God for people coming here to cheer for us. The race was so good with amazing fans. Zurich is a great place for me because there are lots of fans, so I am very thankful for that.
This result is so good for me. I wanted to run 1:42 now. It is very early, as the world championships are coming up, so I want to go and prepare with my coach over these few days before it starts,” he said after the race.
ALSO READ: Faith Cherotich defends Diamond League title after outclassing opponents in Zurich
Wanyonyi looked in control of the race in the opening 600m before the chasing pack led by Burgin started closing on him in the homestretch.
Burgin and Arop seemed to up the ante as Wanyonyi slightly faded in the closing stages but the Kenyan just managed to dip ahead of Burgin as Arop settled for third place.
ALSO READ: Nelly Chepchirchir shows character in snatching first-ever 1500m Diamond League title