Emmanuel Wanyonyi Beats Marco Arop To Win Lausanne Diamond League

• Emmanuel Wanyonyi rubberstamped his place as the best 800m runner in the world after winning the Athletissima on Thursday evening
• The newly minted Olympic champion outmuscled the world champion Marco Arop to beat him in successive races
• Only David Rudisha has now run a faster time than the 20-year-old, with the world record now firmly in his sights

Emmanuel Wanyonyi set the fastest time in the world this year to win the men's 800m at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 22.

The win came only a few weeks after he beat Canadian Marco Arop to win the Olympic title in Paris, France.

Wanyonyi switched his tactics a little bit, allowing Arop to lead as they took the bell. The 20-year-old then took charge in the last lap, running almost at par with the lights before crossing the line with an astonishing time of 1:41:11.

The time is the fastest ever run at a Diamond League race. He has now tied Wilson Kipketer's time, and only David Rudisha has a faster time than the two in the distance, as data from World Athletics shows.

Arop crossed the line with 1:42:72 while Gabriel Tual of France was third with 1:42:30.

Wanyonyi vs Marco Arop

This was a rematch of a growing rivalry between the two athletes after their fierce battle earlier this month in Paris.

Wanyonyi led from gun to tape then, out dipping a fast-closing Arop on the line. He was credited with the win by a thousandth of a second to win his maiden Olympic gold just a few hours after turning 20.

Arop had beaten Wanyonyi at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year.

Up next for Wnayonyi will be the meet in Silesia, Poland, on Sunday.

Faith Kipyegon to headline Athlos NYC event

TUKO.co.ke has also reported that Faith Kipyegon will compete in Serena Williams' husband's event.

The triple Olympic champion in the 1500m will be among the star attractions for the event slated for September 26 in New York.