Asbel Kiprop salutes Wanyonyi, tips him to shine in 1,500m

Former Olympic and three-time world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop believes Emmanuel Wanyonyi has the tools to conquer the 1500m and possibly complete a rare middle-distance double at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

“If he chooses to double in Tokyo, I believe he’ll be on the podium in both,” Kiprop averred.

Wanyonyi, the reigning Olympic 800m champion, stunned a quality field in Kingston, Jamaica, winning the 1500m at the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet in 3:35.18.

The 20-year-old held off a strong American challenge led by Yared Nuguse (3:35.36) and Cole Hocker (3:35.52), while British duo Neil Gourley and world champion Josh Kerr settled for fourth and fifth respectively.

The win has sparked fresh debate about Wanyonyi’s growing range in the middle-distance ranks and Kiprop is among those convinced he can dominate both the 800m and 1500m.

“There’s no doubt Wanyonyi has what it takes. Beating Olympic podium finishers in the 1500m proves he’s capable,” Kiprop told Citizen Digital.

“Remember, he won the 2km loop races in Iten, Lobo, and the national championship. That’s 500 metres more than the 1500m and he beat top 1500m specialists,” added Kiprop.

Wanyonyi’s Kingston win was his third outing of the 2025 season, following an impressive 2km victory at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret.

Kiprop, who won back-to-back world titles in the 1500m in 2011, 2013 and 2015, believes Wanyonyi is entering elite middle-distance company.

“He’s joining the greats and when I say greats, I mean the likes of Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram, and Steve Ovett. Those were athletes who could handle the 800m, 1500m, and even the mile,” Kiprop further observed, noting that:

“Wanyonyi’s win in Jamaica is no fluke. He’s the Olympic 800m champion with a PB of 1:41.11, and let’s not forget his road mile world record of 3:54.56 in Germany last season. That’s the kind of range that wins global titles.”

Kenya’s dominance in the 1500m has waned in recent years. Kiprop delivered the nation’s last Olympic gold in the event in 2008, while Timothy Cheruiyot was the most recent world champion in 2019.

As the Tokyo World Championships loom in September, the conversation around Wanyonyi’s potential double in both the 800m and 1500m is only just beginning.

“His base work this season shows he’s building for something big,” Kiprop concluded.