TOKYO2025: Lilian Odira stuns Olympic and World champions to clinch 800m gold

Africa 800m silver medallist Lilian Odira is the new queen of two laps after storming to gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, 21 September.

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Odira, who had impressed in the heats and semifinals, saved her best for the final, unleashing a devastating finishing kick to dethrone compatriot Mary Moraa and claim her first global title.

The race began with Moraa setting the pace through the first 300m, holding off Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain. 

By the 600m mark, Hodgkinson powered to the front, pushing Moraa into third as Georgia Bell of Great Britain moved into second place.

But Odira, known for her late surges, timed her attack to perfection.

In the final stretch, she stormed past the leading trio to clinch gold in a championship record of 1:54.62. 

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Bell claimed silver in 1:54.90, while Hodgkinson settled for bronze in 1:54.91 after a thrilling photo finish.

Sarah Moraa, who had picked up an injury in the semifinals, showed incredible resilience to clock a personal best of 1:55.74, finishing just shy of the podium in fourth place.

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Meanwhile, it was a tough outing for defending champion Mary Moraa, who faded in the final lap to place seventh despite posting her season’s best of 1:57.10.