Millions Emmanuel Wanyonyi Will Take Home After Breaking 1000m World Record
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Kenya’s middle-distance runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi is set for a multi-million shilling payday after smashing the men’s 1,000 metres world record at the Monaco Diamond League, ending a 27-year wait for a new global mark in the event.
The reigning Olympic and World 800m champion produced a breathtaking performance at Stade Louis II, clocking 2:11.83 in his debut over the rarely contested distance to erase fellow Kenyan Noah Ngeny’s long-standing world record of 2:11.96, set in 1999.
The new mark was ratified as the fastest ever run in the event, cementing Wanyonyi’s place among Kenya’s greatest athletics stars.
President William Ruto led the country in celebrating the achievement, describing Wanyonyi’s feat as another demonstration of Kenya’s enduring dominance on the global athletics stage.
“Congratulations to Emmanuel Wanyonyi on breaking the men’s 1000m world record with a remarkable 2:11.83 at the Monaco Diamond League, ending a 27-year wait for a new world record in the event. Wanyonyi’s historic achievement has once again shown the world the strength of Kenyan athletics and made our nation immensely proud. His outstanding milestone will inspire many more generations of champions,” President Ruto said.
Wanyonyi Earnings Explained
Apart from the glory, Wanyonyi’s impressive performance comes with a good financial reward.
Under the Wanda Diamond League prize structure and World Athletics regulations, the Kenyan star will receive $70,000(approximately Ksh 9 million) at current exchange rates.
The amount is broken down as follows:
- $20,000 (about Ksh 2.6 million) for winning the men’s 1,000 metres race in Monaco.
- $50,000 (about Ksh 6.5 million) awarded as the official World Athletics bonus for breaking a ratified world record.
The combined payout places Wanyonyi among the highest-earning athletes from a single Diamond League meeting this season.
Also Read:Ruto Pays Glowing Tribute to Emmanuel Wanyonyi After Breaking 27-Year-Old 1000m World Record
Reward from the Government Expected
Wanyonyi will equally be benefiting from the recently improved government reward scheme for athletes that was announced by President Ruto earlier this year.
Under the improved program, Ksh 5 million has been set aside for athletes who manage to break the world record in their respective sport categories, apart from Ksh 3 million for athletes who clinch a gold medal in world-level competitions.
If the government decides to recognize the achievement of Wanyonyi, as the recent recognition accorded to marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe, then Wanyonyi will earn additional Ksh 5 million, bringing his total amount of earnings to Ksh 14 million.
Recently, the government has shown its readiness to award athletes who break the world record.
In April this year, President Ruto rewarded the world-record holding marathoner, Sabastian Sawe Ksh 8 million which includes Ksh 5 million for breaking the world record and KSh 3 million for winning gold in the event, plus a promise of a new vehicle.
Monaco Victory Is a Triumph for Kenya
This victory by Wanyonyi was his first in an international race in the distance of 1,000 meters.
With a finishing time of 2:11.83, Wanyonyi broke Noah Ngeny’s record, which had remained unchanged for over three decades ever since its setting in August 1999, by 0.13 seconds.
Also Read:Ruto Announces New Rewards for Athletes, Including Ksh 5 Million for Record Breakers [Full Details]
This performance only further cements Kenya’s legacy as a nation producing many excellent middle-distance runners.
Attention Switched to London and Diamond League Finals
While breaking the record, Wanyonyi revealed that he plans to take care of himself in terms of how he conducts the rest of his season.
After the race, Wanyonyi told reporters that he would not want to over-race since he needs to conserve his speed towards the end of the season.
The Kenyan runner’s next scheduled race is at the Diamond League event in London before heading to the Wanda Diamond League Finals.
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A collage of President William Ruto and Emmanuel Wanyonyi. PHOTO/PCS/BBC
