{"id":161086,"date":"2026-04-27T15:41:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/kenya\/all-news\/sawe-confident-in-form-to-attack-world-record"},"modified":"2026-04-27T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:35:05","slug":"sawe-confident-in-form-to-attack-world-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/kenya\/all-news\/sawe-confident-in-form-to-attack-world-record","title":{"rendered":"Sawe Confident in Form to Attack World Record"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Kenya. <\/strong> <\/span>Sabastian Sawe has said he believed he was in peak condition and ready to mount a full-scale challenge on the men\u2019s world record after his historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Sawe produced a stunning run on the streets of London, becoming the first man to dip under the two-hour mark in a marathon. He stormed to victory in 1:59:30, lowering the previous men\u2019s world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.<\/p>\n

Ethiopia\u2019s Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, while Uganda\u2019s Jacob Kiplimo took third in 2:00:28, making it the fastest marathon ever recorded in London.<\/p>\n

Sawe\u2019s time was also quicker than Eliud Kipchoge\u2019s famous INEOS 1:59 Challenge effort of 1:59:40, achieved under controlled conditions that are not recognised as an official world record by World Athletics.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his run, Sawe said the race unfolded exactly as he had anticipated, especially in the closing stages. \u201cI feel so good and happy with what I have done.<\/p>\n

It is a day to remember for me,\u201d he said. He credited the intensity of the battle at the front for helping sustain the record pace. \u201cWe started the race well, and as we were getting into the final kilometres, I felt strong and I could see the Ethiopian was pushing,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the finish line, I saw the time and I was just so happy.<\/p>\n

\u201dSawe, who previously tested his ambitions at the 2025 Berlin Marathon where he won in 2:02:16, said Sunday\u2019s breakthrough was the result of sustained preparation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe performance today shows that everyone has his time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working for four months for this and that training has paid off.<\/p>\n

\u201dHe also highlighted the impact of the London crowd in pushing him through the final stretch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank the crowds for cheering us on, they really pushed us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

In the women\u2019s race, Ethiopia\u2019s Tigst Assefa set a new women\u2019s-only world record of 2:15:41, improving her previous mark of 2:15:50 set on the same course last year.<\/p>\n

Kenya\u2019s Hellen Obiri finished second in 2:15:53 on her London debut, with Joyciline Jepkosgei third in 2:15:55. President William Ruto led national celebrations, describing Sawe\u2019s achievement as a landmark moment for Kenyan athletics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe celebrate you, Sabastian Sawe, for a performance of rare brilliance at the London Marathon.<\/p>\n

You have not only claimed a historic victory; you have redrawn the limits of human endurance, smashing the world record and breaking the two-hour barrier with extraordinary resolve,\u201d Ruto said.<\/p>\n

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said Sawe\u2019s run had redefined endurance performance. \u201cSawe\u2019s achievement has not only redefined the limits of human performance but also cements his place among the greats in marathon history.<\/p>\n

Your success is a proud moment for athletics and an inspiration to aspiring runners worldwide,\u201d he said. \u201cKenya stands tall and proud, a reminder to the world that long-distance running remains our pride and strength.<\/p>\n

\u201dAthletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei praised Sawe\u2019s discipline and execution on the world stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cSawe\u2019s discipline, courage and tactical brilliance reflect the strength of Kenyan athletics and the depth of talent we continue to nurture,\u201d Tuwei said.<\/p>\n

He noted Sawe\u2019s rapid rise, adding: \u201cLast year, World Athletics recognised Sawe\u2019s extraordinary rise by voting him the Best Male Athlete Off the Track, underlining the immense talent and consistency that have now culminated in this historic world record performance.<\/p>\n

\u201dSawe\u2019s breakthrough continues a remarkable ascent in marathon running.<\/p>\n

He debuted at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, winning in a world-leading 2:02:05, the second-fastest marathon debut in history behind Kelvin Kiptum\u2019s 2:01:53. He followed it with a strong London Marathon victory in 2025 and a competitive Berlin outing, before delivering Sunday\u2019s historic world-record run.<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Kenya<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Kenya. Sabastian Sawe has said he believed he was in peak condition and ready to mount a full-scale challenge on the men\u2019s world record after his historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday. Sawe produced a stunning run on the streets of London, becoming the first man to dip under the two-hour […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":161085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,17],"tags":[544],"class_list":["post-161086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-kenya"],"yoast_head":"\nSawe Confident in Form to Attack World Record - kenya<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Kenya. 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