So sad: I just have to be smarter’- Marco Arop shares his terrible mistakes after been left behind” he could step on the current champions toe” as he gear for brutal revenge….
Marco Arop has opened up about the things he needs to change in order to dethrone Emmanuel Wanyonyi and his other rivals next season.
Reigning world 800m champion Marco Arop has opened up about how best he can challenge Emmanuel Wanyonyi and his other rivals if he has to do better next season.
This year, Arop has had a challenging season, losing the Olympic title to Wanyonyi in a photo finish, and failing to live up to the billing at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels where he finished third. Reigning Olympic champion Wanyonyi won the race as Olympic bronze medallist Djamel Sedjati came in second in the tight race.
Speaking about his performance this season, Arop noted that the main takeaway has been to learn patience and be smart when executing races. He disclosed that going for the world record and chasing faster times in most of his races has cost him a lot of victories and next season, he will be out to change the narrative.
At the Diamond League meeting final in Brussels, Arop started strong and could not keep up the pace, forcing him to settle for third place. He was fresh from attacking the 1000m world record at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial. After the Olympics, Arop finished second behind Wanyonyi in Lausanne and won the meeting in Silesia.
“I think it went well overall, there are a lot of things we accomplished but still fell short on a few major goals. I think it was okay, we always expect the best because we train really hard to win these races and sometimes we don’t stop but that’s not going to stop us from trying again,” Arop told Runner Space.
“In races like this (Diamond League Meeting final), I have to be smarter…you know we can’t always chase records, we can’t always go for faster times, I think, especially when the competition is not strong. If I’m looking to win races, I have to be more patient and I have to be kind of smarter and today was an example of that. I think in championships is a little bit easier to be passive early on and race strategically but I think if I want to be a better athlete, I have to choose my battles wisely,” he added.
At the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Arop will be out to defend his title. However, he faces a stern test from the quality 800m runners that are emerging and he has to rectify a few things before actualizing his dreams.
Marco Arop, the reigning world 800m champion, has reflected on his performances this season, admitting that there are key adjustments he needs to make in order to dethrone his main rivals, particularly Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Despite his triumphs, 2024 has proven to be a challenging year for Arop, who lost the Olympic title to Wanyonyi in a dramatic photo finish and placed third in the Diamond League final in Brussels. While Wanyonyi claimed gold, Olympic bronze medalist Djamel Sedjati narrowly edged out Arop for second place in a highly competitive race.
Reflecting on his performances, Arop acknowledged that his eagerness to chase world records and faster times in most of his races has often led to missed opportunities for victory. He admitted that this aggressive strategy was costly, especially in tightly contested races where a more patient, tactical approach might have yielded better results. Speaking to Runner Space, Arop emphasized the need for a shift in mindset moving forward. “We can’t always chase records or go for faster times,” he said. “If I want to win races, I have to be more patient and smarter in my approach.”
At the Diamond League final in Brussels, Arop’s early aggression left him struggling to maintain the pace, forcing him to settle for third. The race came shortly after Arop’s bold attempt to break the 1000m world record at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial. Despite falling short in Brussels, Arop’s season wasn’t without highlights—he claimed second place behind Wanyonyi in Lausanne and secured victory in Silesia.
Looking ahead to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Arop will be aiming to defend his world title, but he is keenly aware of the emerging talent in the 800m, particularly the challenge posed by Wanyonyi and Sedjati. “In championships, it’s easier to be passive early on and race strategically,” Arop explained, “but if I want to be a better athlete, I have to choose my battles wisely.”
Arop remains optimistic about the future, viewing this season as a learning experience. He is determined to fine-tune his approach, blending patience and strategy with his natural speed and strength. By making these adjustments, he hopes to regain his dominance on the track and achieve his long-term goals in the seasons to come.
