Cooper Lutkenhaus claims his second Diamond League victory in a week with a new world U20 record

Cooper Lutkenhaus’ incredible year continued at the Diamond League in Oslo tonight, where he edged past Olympic gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya to claim his second Diamond League victory in a week.

This winter’s world indoor 800m champion finished in a personal best and world best of the season of 1:42.08 min. The feat is also a new world record for under-18s. The 17-year-old American talent launched his attack with about 200m to go, when world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi was still in the lead. Cooper Lutkenhaus was increasing his lead, but in the last meters his Kenyan rival gave his best, but these efforts led to second place with a difference of only one hundredth of a second – 1:42.09 min.

Another world champion Marco Arop (Canada) remained third tonight with 1:43.33 min.

With his achievement today, Cooper Lutkenhaus climbed to 14th position in the all-time 800m ranking. The American almost broke the record of the Oslo tournament, which is 1:42.04 min, set by world record holder David Rudisha in 2010.

Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi did not fail to praise his young opponent, who defeated him today, but also expressed satisfaction with his own performance in Oslo.

“This boy is in good shape. Can you believe that as an Olympic champion you are trying to knock down a 17-year-old boy? I started the race at the front and after 600 meters I tried to see who was coming to push me. Then I saw him overtaking me, so I tried to respond. But my goal today was to run my little distance, to improve. The season is still early. I actually feel so happy to be running – my daughter is watching me. I plan to go home tomorrow to train for the next race in Monaco and enjoy some time with my family. Even my coach told me: don’t forget that your daughter is watching you now. Her name is Noela”, said Emmanuel Wanyonyi.