Kenya's dominance in middle-distance running was further solidified when Sarah Moraa claimed the gold medal in the 800 metres at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
Moraa's performance on Friday night was nothing short of spectacular, as she clocked 2:00.36 to secure her place at the top of the podium, continuing a proud family tradition in athletics.
The victory in Lima marks Sarah Moraa’s second major win in 2024, following her earlier triumph at the African Games in Accra, Ghana. This victory, however, holds a special place as it adds another gold medal to Kenya's illustrious history in the global athletics arena.
Moraa, cousin to the renowned Mary Moraa, who won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her determination and skill were on full display as she led the race from the start, never giving her competitors a chance to catch up.
The path to victory was clear from the beginning, with Moraa effortlessly advancing through the preliminary rounds.
She won her semifinal heat in 2:03.44, a time that hinted at the potential for an even faster performance in the final.
When the moment came, Moraa did not disappoint, powering through the finish line ahead of Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth, who took silver with a time of 2:00.87, and the United States’ Sophia Gorriaran, who claimed bronze in 2:01.04.
Her win adds to the growing medal tally for Kenya at the World U20 Championships, following silver and bronze medals in the 3000m steeplechase for men and women, respectively.
Dennis Kipkoech narrowly missed out on gold in the men's steeplechase, finishing second with a time of 8:20.79, just behind Norway’s Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen, who won in 8:20.56. Meanwhile, Diana Chepkemoi secured bronze in the women's steeplechase, adding to Kenya's success in the championships.
Moraa’s performance also serves as a beacon of hope for young athletes in Kenya, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, they too can achieve greatness on the world stage.
The 20-year-old has often spoken about how her cousin, Mary Moraa, has been a source of inspiration for her. This influence was evident in her confident and composed approach to the race, mirroring the qualities that have made Mary Moraa a global athletics star.
