Wanyonyi breaks 1,000m world record on debut in Monaco

Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the long-standing men's 1,000m world record on his debut at the rarely run distance in Friday's Diamond League meeting in Monaco, with Great Britain's Jake Wightman finishing second.

Wightman, 31, pushed Wanyonyi hard to the line but had to settle for the runners-up spot as the 21-year-old Kenyan won in a record time of two minutes 11.83 seconds.

Wanyonyi is the reigning Olympic and world 800m champion and shaved 0.13 seconds off the previous record, which had been held by compatriot Noah Ngeny since 1999.

Wightman, the 2022 1500m world champion, clocked a personal best of two minutes 12.77 seconds at the Stade Louis II, moving him to fifth on the world all-time list., external

The next Diamond League meeting is in London on 18 July.

Speaking after the race, Wanyonyi said he was "so happy" to achieve the record, but he dismissed any thoughts of attempting to break the 800m mark set by fellow Kenyan David Rudisha at London 2012.

"I don't want to talk about the world record in the 800m. I first want to run fast and improve my personal best," he said.

"Let me keep quiet. Actions speak louder than words."

-BBC