by Larry Eder
Tokyo Day 8: Wanyonyi, Kipyegon, and Vilagos Set for Final Showdowns
Day 7 of the World Championships in Tokyo was nothing short of brilliant. Day 8 will no doubt set the stage for an array of gripping finals, where medals and placings will take precedence over record-breaking times. The men’s 800m, women’s 5000m, and women’s javelin will all feature athletes at the peak of their form, each vying to cap a week of intense competition with a crowning moment.
The men’s 800m has emerged as one of the deepest events of recent years. Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and defending champion Marco Arop both advanced to the final with authority, showcasing their consistency and tactical acumen. Yet the semifinals delivered surprises in equal measure. Ireland’s Cian McPhillips and Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui ran identical times of 1:43.18 to claim their respective heats, signaling that the final could unfold in unexpected ways.
Wanyonyi brings raw speed and a smooth finishing kick, while Arop has the experience of having triumphed on the championship stage before. McPhillips and Attaoui, both rising stars, carry momentum that could upset the established order. On paper, the race promises a tense strategic contest. Wanyonyi appears best positioned to claim gold if he executes a measured final lap, but Arop’s aggressive racing style ensures the outcome will remain uncertain until the last 50m.
The women’s 5000m will see Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet seek to extend their dominance. Kipyegon, the 1500m champion, and Chebet, who captured the 10,000m earlier in the championships, enter the final with confidence and a clear tactical understanding of championship racing. They face strong competition from Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the defending champion from 2022, and Italy’s double Olympic medallist Nadia Battocletti.
Kipyegon excels in navigating pace changes while keeping a close eye on key rivals, and Chebet combines endurance with a sharp finishing kick. Tsegay has proven capable of responding to pressure in major finals, and Battocletti brings an experienced, composed presence to the line. If the race unfolds at a controlled pace, Kipyegon could leverage her speed over the final lap to edge out the field, though Chebet is likely to challenge her until the very end.
In the women’s javelin, the absence of world and Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi has opened the door for a new champion to emerge. Adriana Vilagos led the qualifiers with a throw of 66.06m, establishing herself as a contender for the gold medal. Australia’s Mackenzie Little, European champion Victoria Hudson, and 2023 world silver medallist Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado all advanced to the final, creating a broad field capable of producing a dramatic conclusion. Vilagos has shown consistency in distance and form, while Little and Hudson can challenge with well-executed throws. The final will likely hinge on who can deliver their best performance under pressure, with Vilagos’ qualifying throw suggesting she has the edge going into Saturday.
Across all three events, the athletes carry both ambition and accumulated fatigue from a week of intense competition. The 800m is likely to unfold as a tactical race, where positioning and timing of the final kick are decisive. The 5000m will test endurance and pacing over 12 and a half laps, while the javelin final will reward technique and composure under the spotlight. Tokyo’s stadium will offer the backdrop for moments of brilliance that can define careers.
Predictions point toward Emmanuel Wanyonyi taking gold in the men’s 800m, drawing on his speed and championship experience. Faith Kipyegon appears poised to win the women’s 5000m, likely edging Beatrice Chebet in a close finish. In the women’s javelin, Adriana Vilagos’ strong qualifying performance suggests she will secure the top spot on the podium, though Little and Hudson may force late drama.
