Relief as World Athletics ratifies Phanuel Koech’s World U20 1500m record

Kenya’s teenage prodigy Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech can now officially call himself a world record holder after his 1500m mark at the 2025 Meeting de Paris in June was ratified.

The then 18-year-old ran 3:27.72 to finish second behind Azeddine Habz during the Paris Wanda Diamond League meeting, breaking the previous U20 world record of 3:28.81 set by fellow Kenyan Ronald Kwemoi in Monaco in 2014.

The performance also placed Koech ninth on the senior world all-time list, a remarkable feat for a teenager in just his second 1500m race.

Few had heard of Koech before the 2025 Paris Diamond League, but his stunning performance instantly put him on the global athletics map. A month later, he followed up in London with a 3:28.82 victory in the Diamond League, beating world champion Josh Kerr and proving that his record was no fluke.

Born 16 km away from Eldoret City in Naiberi and later moving to Kewapmoi in Uasin Gishu County, Koech was inspired to take up running by St. Francis Kimuron High alumni, including world record holder David Rudisha and 2021 Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir. He started competitive running in 2019 at Tingwa Primary School before being guided by manager Eric Lilot.

Koech trains alongside Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Diamond League 1500m champion Nelly Chepchirchir.

Despite a disappointing outing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where he was tripped in the final lap and missed the semi-finals, all eyes will be on Koech this season, with less than 100 days to go before the official 2026 Diamond League season kicks off at Qatar Sports Club in Doha