Canadian Marco Arop won his first world title in the 800m on Saturday at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Arop, 24, won in 1 min 44 sec 24, ahead of Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi (1:44.53), silver medalist, and Briton Ben Pattison (1:44.83), bronze.
The Canadian had placed third at the Eugene Worlds in 2022. This time, he built his success in the penultimate straight by taking control of the race. He then lengthened his immense stride in the last 100 meters and sealed his victory.
Arop took advantage of the absence of the reigning Olympic and world champion, Kenyan Emmanuel Korir, eliminated in the playoffs.
