English
There are moments in every Wanda Diamond League season when a new star is born.
Cooper Lutkenhaus’ victory in the men’s 800m in Oslo on Wednesday was one of those moments.
The 17-year-old American was already one of athletics’ most exciting young talents when he arrived in Norway for the Bislett Games.
In March, he had become the youngest athlete ever to be crowned world champion at the world indoors in Poland.
Last Sunday, he had won on his Diamond League debut in Stockholm with an impressive 1:42.70.
In Oslo, however, the Texas teenager faced his biggest challenge yet against Olympic, world and Diamond League champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
It was the first time the two men had met on track, a race billed as the inaugural battle between the king and the pretender over two laps.
Wanyonyi took his usual approach with some bold frontrunning, while Lutkenhaus lurked behind him in the chasing pack, waiting for his moment.
The American made his move with around 250 metres to go, moving past the Kenyan’s right shoulder to take the lead.
Wanyonyi is not a multiple global champion for nothing, however, and though Lutkenhaus looked more comfortable in the final bend, he couldn’t shake off the Kenyan star.
In the end, it took a dramatic dive over the finish line for the 17-year-old to claim victory and land a statement win over the world number one.
The Wanda Diamond League’s Official Timekeeper OMEGA clocked his time at 1:42.08, a new world lead.
More importantly, it was a victory that established Lutkenhaus as a challenge capable of taking on Wanyonyi and winning, setting up what promises to be an enthralling rivalry in the coming months and years.
”To beat the Olympic champion is awesome and it means a lot. I have not seen the grazes yet from my dive but I think they will hurt in the shower later,” said Lutkenhaus, before looking forward to his next Diamond League appearance.
“The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene is next for me and I am very excited for that.”
