Emmanuel Wanyonyi hit the headlines a few days ago after the World Athletics announced their Athletics Awards in Monaco. He was awarded the male Rising Star award.
Emmanuel is the crowned 800M silver medalist having debuted in the 2021 World Cup under 20 championships. Wanyonyi also finished fourth in Eugine behind Korir.
According to an interview with the Olympics.com, Emmanuel Wanyonyi explained his journey that has earned him a place in the global stage. A journey from Grass to grace.
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Wanyonyi grew up in Saboti, Trans Nzoia County and having born in a not so well of family, he dropped out of school at 10. Looking at the situation he was, he had to find a job at such a young age and that’s when he became a herds boy.
As a young boy whose parents couldn’t afford to fund his education, this was a means of survival that was available to him at that time.
Fast forward in 2018, his father died and his mother left with the other siblings and left Wanyonyi at the custody of his aunt. According to Wanyonyi, he had to run for his family and for survival
“I didn’t come from a family of runners, but I knew that I could make it as a runner if I trained and pushed hard. I had to do it for my family. Being the fifth of 11 children, and most of them never went to school and the only one who was in school, I saw running as an opportunity out of our misery.”
However, with his breakthrough at 19 came responsibilities and he had to buy a piece of land for his mother, build a house and now the live with the other siblings.
“After running the World U20, I went and looked for my mum, got her a piece of land, and built her a home where she now lives with my younger siblings. Also, considering most of my siblings didn’t go to school, I focused on ensuring the younger ones got an education. They are worth every pain and suffering from my training.”
Emmanuel Wanyonyi is a story of determination and endurance to this far. As his career progresses, NewsProjector wishes Wanyonyi the very best as he conquers the world.