800 Meter

Recap

NARROW RACES END IN KENYAN TRIUMPH

For quite some time, Marco Arop (CAN) looked like the sure winner in this race. However, he had clearly not reckoned with the 800m Olympic champion. Emanuel Korir caught up with him in an exciting finish. The Kenyan’s effort was rewarded with a new world leading time – 1:43.26 – and a Diamond Trophy.  1500m world champion Jake Wightman (GBR) put up a good fight and managed to come in third.

Mary Moraa (KEN), who considers her male counterpart Korir a member of her team, followed suit and defeated the top favourite in a surprise win. A silver medallist at both most recent global events, Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) had to settle for fifth place this time around. Moraa prevailed against Natoya Goule (JAM) in 1:57.85. Local star Lore Hoffman, fourth at the recent European championships, placed eighth in another sub-2-minute time.

Preview

Duel of two world champions

Two world champions will clash in the men’s 800m tonight: Jake Wightman (28), who claimed 1500m gold in Eugene – cheered by his father and stadium speaker – faces Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir (27), title holder in the 800m. Korir, also the reigning Olympic champion, won the final in 2021. But 800m European championship silver medallist Wightman, who is from Scotland, won the 800m race at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels last week.

Youngster Keely Hodgkinson ready to claim second trophy

In the women’s race, Switzerland’s Lore Hofmann (26, 4th at the European championships in Munich) will challenge British criminology student and defending champion Keely Hodgkinson (20).

Stats

Olympic Champion: Athing MU (USA) 1:55.21
World Champion: Athing MU (USA) 1:56.30
European Champion: Keely HODGKINSON (GBR) 1:59.04
World Lead: Athing MU (USA) 1:56.30

Olympic Champion: Emmanuel Kipkurui KORIR (KEN) 1:45.06
World Champion: Emmanuel Kipkurui KORIR (KEN) 1:43.71
European Champion: Mariano GARCÍA (ESP) 1:44.85
World Lead: Max Burgin (GBR) 1:43.52