Diamond League: Mary Moraa reigns supreme in return to Doha

World champion Mary Moraa began her 2024 Diamond League season on a bright note as she fended off tough opposition to claim the women’s 800m race in Doha on Friday evening.

The recently crowned African Games champion accelerated late in the homestretch to win in a season-best time of 1:57.91, holding off British indoor mile record holder Jemma Reekie, who came second with a time of 1:58.42.

Benin’s Noélie Yarigo finished third, clocking a season-best 1:58.70.

Moraa, who was making her return to Doha for the first time since taking part in the 2019 World Championships, wasted no time in imposing her dominance in a fairly impressive field, as she jumped to the front behind Polish pacemaker Agata Kolakowska.

The target time had been set at 1:56.00 and it looked to be achievable when the two hit the lap at 56.57.

With the pacemaker off, it was time for Moraa to extend her invisibility this season, which she held on despite coming under immense pressure from Reekie who threatened to overtake on the outer lane.

The Kenyan with her time surpassed her previous season best of 1:57.96 needed to win her first 800m race this season at the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour gold event on 20 April.

Meanwhile in the women’s 1500m, Kenyan Nelly Chepchirchir set her season-best time as she finished third in a captivating race.

FIFA U17 WCQ: Junior Starlets hold Ethiopia to set up second-leg decider

The 20-year-old came behind race winner Freweyni Hailu (4:00.42) and Jessica Hall of Australia (4:00.84) to clock 4:01.19.

Another Kenyan, Susan Ejore, finished eighth timing 4:04.70