Kenya’s Lilian Odira delivered a commanding performance in the women’s 800 meters at the Kip Keino Classic, crossing the finish line in a personal best time of 1:58.31. Her victory not only earned her the gold medal but also secured her qualification for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, signalling her arrival as a serious contender on the global stage.
Lilian Odira ran with tactical precision, maintaining a strong and steady pace through the first lap. She positioned herself perfectly and unleashed a powerful finishing kick in the final 200 meters, pulling away from the field and thrilling the crowd at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Botswana’s Oratile Nowe pushed hard throughout the race, finishing second with a personal best of 1:58.47. Nowe’s relentless effort kept the contest intense until the final meters, underscoring the rising talent emerging from across Africa.
Kenya’s Sarah Moraa ran a smart and resilient race to claim third place in a personal best time of 1:58.96. Moraa’s performance earned her a well-deserved spot alongside Lilian Odira on Kenya’s team for Tokyo. Reinforcing the country’s strength in middle-distance running.
The race featured a competitive field, with Shafiqua Maloney of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines finishing fourth in 1:59.13, and Kenya’s Judy Kemunto placing fifth with a personal best of 2:00.98. South Africa’s Aviwe Hoboloshe clocked 2:02.02 for sixth place. Meanwhile, Dorcus Ewoi and Maureen Chepkirui rounded out the top eight, with Chepkirui also setting a personal best.
On the other hand, Kenya’s Daisy Chepngetich Ruto was forced to withdraw from the race,due to unkwon reasons.
Odira’s win and Moraa’s steady rise highlight Kenya’s continued dominance in the women’s 800m. As both athletes prepare for Tokyo, the athletics world will watch closely to see if they can convert their personal bests into medals on the global stage.
