How Emmanuel Wanyonyi Went from Herdsboy to Olympic Champion and Millionaire

Reigning has not only conquered the track but behind his global acclaim is a story of grit, determination, and an incredible rise from poverty to riches.

Wanyonyi, who is only 20 years old, clocking a sensational  1:41.11 at the Lausanne Diamond League.

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However,but his journey began in the dusty fields of Trans Nzoia County, where he once tended cattle to support his family.

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Wanyonyi was forced to drop out of primary school due to a lack of school fees and then became a herdsboy earning a meager income to help feed his family but fate had bigger plans for him.

A local teacher, noticing his natural talent for running, stepped in to help him return to school and pursue his budding athletic potential.

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The teenager’s big break came at the 2019 Regional Primary School Games in Kapsabet, Nandi County.

The principal of Kosirai High School was so impressed by his performance that he offered him a place at the school.

There, Wanyonyi met former 800m world champion Janeth Jepkosgei, who introduced him to his current coach Claudio Berardelli.

“I have to remain humble and focused because I still want to remain competitive for some years to come,” said Emmanuel in an interview with

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The young champion was shocked to have made it onto a prestigious list of top global athletes.

“I did not expect my achievements to be recognized in the same fashion it was done,” he admitted.

“Life has not always been easy for me. That’s why I developed the idea that whatever I do, I should make sure it doesn’t affect me negatively or make me regret it,” he noted.

Wanyonyi’ At just 17, he stunned the world by winning gold at the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi.

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In 2022, he finished fourth at the senior World Championships in Oregon, and in 2023, he earned a silver medal in Budapest, narrowly missing out on gold to Canadian Marco Arop.

“My good friend, Marco Arop, from Canada beat me because he had more experience and knew what to do in the final meters,” he says.

That experience paid off. In 2024leading the race from start to finish.

He also retained his Diamond League crown at the Brussels meet in September 2024 and in 2025 he started with a win in 1500m at Gland Slam Track.