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TOKYO2025: Kenyan trio storm into 800m final
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 19.09.25. | 15:52
There was slight concern for Sarah Moraa however, as she went down in pain shortly after crossing the line, and had to be helped out of the track
Kenya will have triple representation in the women’s 800m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after Mary Moraa, Sarah Moraa, and Lilian Odira delivered emphatic performances in their semifinal heats on Friday, September 19.
The qualification sets up a potential clean podium sweep for the East African nation, with the trio now just one race away from making history in the two-lap event.
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Heat One
Paris Olympic bronze medalist Mary Moraa once again displayed her trademark finishing power in the first semifinal.
After starting cautiously in fourth place, Moraa gradually surged through the pack, positioning herself in striking distance by the 700m mark.
With her trademark “kick,” Moraa stormed past Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin and Britain’s Georgia Bell to seal victory in 1:58.40.
Bell followed closely in 1:58.62 to also qualify.
Goule-Toppin, who had led for most of the race, faded badly to fifth, missing out on a spot in the final.
Heat Two
Lilian Odira endured a tactical battle in the second semifinal, shuffling between fourth and fifth place for much of the race.
But in the final stretch, she unleashed a powerful sprint to clinch the win in 1:58.85.
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro secured the second automatic qualification spot in 1:56.99, joining Odira in the medal showdown.
Heat Three
Sarah Moraa delivered one of the surprises of the evening in the final semifinal heat.
Running against Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, Moraa held her composure before producing a blistering finish to clock a personal best of 1:57.33.
The race ended in a dramatic photo finish, with Hodgkinson narrowly edging Moraa, both stopping the clock at 1:57.33.
Despite the defeat, Moraa’s time was more than enough to book her spot in the final.
Running with a huge strapping on her left foot, there was concern for the Kenyan after she went down in pain shortly after the race, and had to be helped out of the track.
Her position in the final will be open to whether she is fit and ready to compete in it.
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