Wanyonyi to reignite rivalry with Arop, Sedjati in Oslo

Emmanuel Wanyonyi/ FILE

Olympic and world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi is set for a blockbuster rematch with Tokyo World Championships medallists Marco Arop of Canada and Djamel Sedjati of Algeria at the Oslo Diamond League on June 10.

At last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Wanyonyi surged to a commanding 1:41.86 finish to clinch his maiden world title.

That race saw him power past Sedjati, who settled for silver in 1:41.90, while Arop claimed bronze in 1:41.95. The three stars have dominated the men’s two-lap event in recent seasons, repeatedly producing electrifying duels on the global stage.

Wanyonyi returns to Oslo determined to defend the crown he captured in the Norwegian capital last year. At the 2025 Oslo Diamond League, the Kenyan ace stopped the clock at 1:42.78 to secure victory ahead of Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.90), with Sedjati taking third in 1:43.06.

Wanyonyi enters the 2026 Diamond League season on the back of a scintillating 2025 campaign, one that saw him close the year with the world-leading mark over 800m. He opened that Diamond League season in Rabat, finishing third in 1:43.37. Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela stormed to victory in 1:42.70, while Britain’s Max Burgin clocked 1:43.34 for second.

Wanyonyi then launched a winning spree across the circuit, beginning with Oslo before another triumph in Stockholm, where he timed 1:41.95. That race saw Sedjati (1:42.27) and American Josh Hoey (1:42.43) complete the podium.

He extended the streak in Monaco, blazing to the fastest time of 2025 with a 1:41.44 performance, as Hoey (1:42.01) and Sedjati (1:42.20) followed home in second and third.

At the London Diamond League, Wanyonyi was once again in imperious form, timing 1:42.00 to lead Arop (1:42.22) and Burgin (1:42.36). His only stumble came in Lausanne, where he finished second in 1:43.29 behind Hoey, who struck gold in 1:42.82. But at the 2025 Diamond League Final, there was no denying Wanyonyi as he sliced through the field to seize the trophy in 1:42.37.

Burgin (1:42.42) and Arop (1:42.57) completed the podium. Wanyonyi has already signalled intent for another dominant season after opening his 2026 campaign with a 1,500m victory at the Kip Keino Classic.

In that race, he clocked 3:34.11 to outgun world bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot, who posted 3:34.73, while Daniel Munguti completed the podium in 3:36.21. Wanyonyi has also laid down his ambitions for rapid times over 800m this year, following that Kip Keino masterclass. “I ran this 1,500m for endurance, but my focus for the season is the 800m and to run very fast,” he said.

Meanwhile, Arop and Sedjati are yet to open their 2026 campaigns. Also in the mix is Attaoui, fresh from claiming bronze over 800m at the World Indoor Championships in Poland in March.