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'I didn't let it break me' - Emmanuel Wanyonyi on how early ridicule in his career strengthened him mentally

The Paris Olympics 800m champion faced a tough upbringing but that was the catalyst as it liberated him from the jaws of poverty to his newly-acquired status

Paris Olympics 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has revealed how his tough childhood has been the cornerstone in who he is today.

The 20-year-old knows the pain of running without shoes, becoming a man at a tender age and providing for the family, and the death of his father proved to be the turning point in his budding career that has already earned him the Olympian title.

Wanyonyi initially faced ridicule because, unlike other parts of Kenya, his home region is not known for producing elite runners. Growing up in extreme poverty in a small village in western Kenya, Wanyonyi's daily life was marked by hardships.

"When Emmanuel was running, people were mocking and laughing at him. I was crying and feeling sad about it, but my boy told me: 'Don't cry, mum. One day I will buy you land and you will live a good life. I thought it was just a joke, but God was with him," Wanyonyi’s mother Margaret Nasimiyu recalled as reported by the BBC.

Wanyonyi said his passion for running was unstoppable and trained even without shoes. Wanyonyi's resourcefulness and drive caught the eye of his teachers, and he began competing in regional events.

Standing out with his raw speed and endurance, despite a lack of formal training, he quickly rose through the ranks with a string of victories.

Wanyonyi credits his early years and the the challenges he overcame as an inspiration that toughened him psychologically.

"There is no challenge in life that can shock me. When people doubted me or laughed at me, I didn't let it break me," the Trans Nzoia native said. His never-give-up attitude has made him a hero locally and internationally and Wanyonyi, born in a family of 11, is a two-time Diamond League champion.