Jake Wightman breaks Scottish 800-metre record at Brussels Diamond League meeting

Jake Wightman stormed to victory in the 800 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels, setting a new Scottish record and taking the scalp of world champion Emmanuel Korir.

Wightman, who won gold over 1,500m in Eugene while Korir triumphed over 800m, set a new personal best of 1:43.65 as he finished comfortably ahead of Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, with Korir forced to settle for third.

It means the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist beat Tom McKean’s previous record from 1989.

SCOTTISH RECORD ALERT #SALachieve
Wow! What a run @JakeSWightman for @Diamond_League 800m win and takes down Tom McKean mark from 1989 (1:43.88)
Congratulations! @WightmanGeoff @SALChiefExec @ArnoldBlack1 @leslie_roy1 @OvensDavid https://t.co/yrzvOvZprc
— scottishathletics (@scotathletics) September 2, 2022

“I wanted to run under 1:43.88, which is the Scottish record, and I did,” Wightman said. “To win a race in a field like this, I’m really pleased with that.

“In Zurich, I’m running the 800m as well and then a road mile in New York to finish off this long season. After that I’m taking a week or three off to spend some time with friends and family.

“It has been one championship after the other so I’m very much looking forward to take some time and reflect on this amazing season.”