Here is all you need to know about Kenyan runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi named as the 2023 World Athletics Rising Star, have a look at his age, height, biography and parents
At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest 23, Kenyan youngsters Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi made a lasting impression in the senior track and field division.
Who is Kenya runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi, biography, age, height, parents, tribe, place of birth, education background
Both athletes were recognised at the World Athletics awards ceremony, which was held on Monday night in Monaco, France, for their outstanding performances at the World U20 level.
After winning the 800-meter silver medal, 19-year-old rising star, Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s outstanding performance was recognised with the title of 2023 World Athletics Rising Stars.
Male Rising Star winner 👑
Emmanuel Wanyonyi 🇰🇪 is your Male Rising Star of the Year 🙌#AthleticsAwards pic.twitter.com/BOrqsCi99i
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 11, 2023
Who is Emmanuel Wanyonyi?
Emmanuel Wanyonyi is a middle-distance runner who specialises in the 800 metres. He was born in Kenya on August 1, 2004 with his height at 6 feet 2 inches. At the age of eighteen, he was placed fourth in the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
His mother is named Margaret Nasimiyu.
Wanyonyi is a Luhya, believed to have the characteristics and muscle power to sprint and whenever people saw Emmanuel Wanyonyi running around his village in Saboti, West of Kenya, they would mock and ridicule him.
From an almost hopeless situation of being a paid herder with his father a herder as well who lived from hand to mouth, Wanyonyi saw some runners out on training while he was herding cattle and asked himself, “why not try this too?”
Kosirai High is one of the schools in Kenya that has produced a lot of world best runners from Conseslus Kipruto, Mathew Kisorio, and so many others where Wanyonyi went as well.
A look at Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s career
The gold medallist for the world U20 in 2021, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, had a fantastic year in 2023. Along with winning the Diamond League championship in 1:42.80, a personal best time, he also brought home a silver medal from the Budapest 23 World Athletics Championships.
Wanyonyi won the Diamond League races in Rabat, Paris, and Xiamen, demonstrating his supremacy even further. He was also an important member of Kenya’s world cross-country mixed relay winning team.
During an incredible international debut at the 2021 World U20 Championships, Wanyonyi dispelled any reservations about his skills. His incredible race in the Nairobi final (1:43:76) beat fellow countryman Emmanuel Korir’s winning time (1:45:06) in the Tokyo Olympics final, the turning point in his life.
He excelled as a senior in 2022, winning both national and international 800-meter competitions. In the Eugene World Championships, he finished fourth behind his compatriot Korir and almost missed out on a medal.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s family
Emmanuel Wanyonyi grew up in poverty while his parents were not able to give him an education. He is the fifth born of his 11 siblings. None of them were able to go to school due to poverty except for Emmanuel, and he looked up for the opportunity and decided to not waste it.