Bungei backs Wanyonyi to break 800m world record

Former 800-meter Olympic gold medalist Wilfred Bungei has backed reigning world champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi to break David Rudisha's 1:40.91 world record.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Bungei said Wanyonyi's consistency has proven to be crucial in him improving in each and every event that he participates in, hence giving him an edge over others when it comes to having chances of breaking the record.

“He is consistent and keeps improving in every race. I call him Buffalo because he can't be taken down  by the giant who surround him and I saw that during the world championship so if he continues like this, he will break it,” said Bungei

After dominant displays throughout their 2025 campaigns, Emmanuel Wanyonyi was recognized by the World Athletics Awards on Sunday evening in Monaco, where he won Male Track Athlete of the Year, edging out American sprinter Noah Lyles, the 200m world champion.

“He is very disciplined and very humble; he works hard and always tries to improve in each and every race. That is a character for a champion,” added Bungei.

The Olympian went on to congratulate Athletics Kenya for coming out with great programs that improve and nurture new talent every year.

“They have very good structures that keeps producing good talent every time  and keeps nurturing them thanks to their great leadership at the federation,” stated the former Olympic gold medalist