Quick Facts
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Djamel Sedjati (also written Sejati, Arabic: جمال سجاتي, born May 3, 1999 in Tiaret) is an Algerian middle-distance runner specializing in the 800 meters. He is the third fastest man in history at the distance, behind Wilson Kipketer and world record holder David Rudisha.
Career
Once unknown in Algeria, Sedjati came to prominence in 2021 after running in a few Algerian national meetings. He finished second to Mohamed Ali Gouaned in 600 meters with a time of 1:17:40 during the Algerian Winter Championships held in Algiers on 26 March 2021. He also ran 1:45.99 in Batna meeting on 12 April 2021 defeating Mohamed Ali Gouaned, and finishing second behind Mohamed Belbachir in Algiers meeting on 7 May 2021 clocking a personal best of 1:45.86.
Sedjati later ran a few meetings in France and qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in the 800 meters, after running a personal best of 1:44.91 in Strasbourg, France, on 16 June 2021. Sedjati also ran as a pacemaker in later meetings helping compatriot Yassine Hethat qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in the same event.
On arrival to Tokyo to compete in the men's 800 meters, Sedjati and compatriot Bilal Tabti both tested positive for coronavirus on 24 July 2021 and were put into quarantine, forcing them to miss their Olympic event.
At the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Sedjati finished second in the 800m, clocking 1:44.14 to win the silver medal.
On 7 July 2024, Sedjati won the 800m at the Meeting de Paris, running 1:41.56 to become the third fastest man at the distance, behind Wilson Kipketer who ran 1:41.11 in 1997, and David Rudisha, the current world record holder, who ran 1:40.91 at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Sedjati set in the process a new Algerian national record, replacing the previous record by Taoufik Makhloufi since the 2016 Summer Olympics by more than a second.
Five days later, at the Herculis Meeting in Monaco, Sedjati won the 800 metres in a time of 1:41.46, thereby improving on his personal best from five days prior by a tenth of a second.
Personal bests
Outdoor
- 300 metres – 34.51 (Algiers, 27 March 2021)
- 600 metres – 1:14.36 NR (Sasolburg (RSA), 11 March 2023)
- 800 metres – 1:41.46 NR (Monaco, 12 July 2024)
- 1000 metres - 2:13.97 (Potchefstroom, South Africa)
Indoor
- 800 metres – 1:46.28 (Sabadell (ESP), 8 February 2022)
