Golden Moraa out to defend Diamond League title
The Diamond League took a break after the London meet, paving way for the worlds. Action in the 14-meet series resumes on 31 August in Zurich before heading to Xiamen, China, Brussels and Eugene
Newly-crowned 800m world Champion, Mary Moraa, has shifted her focus to defending the Diamond League title she won in the 2022 campaign after bagging the world title in Budapest.
Moraa literally jumped over the line in celebration as she recorded a Personal Best (PB) of 1:56.03 to upgrade her bronze from Eugene last year to gold while subjecting Kelly Hodgkinson (1:56.34) to yet another silver as defending champion Athing Mu clocked 1:56.61 for bronze.
Raevyn Rogers (1:57.45) edged Jemma Reekie (1:57.72) into fifth place. There was a PB for American Nia Akins in sixth (1:57.73), while former British international Adelle Tracey, who now competes for Jamaica and broke the national 1500m record earlier in the championships, improved her 800m best for the second time in Budapest with 1:58.41.
“Everyone in the final was so fast, I knew I would have to have a fast finish,” said the 23-year-old after her win. “I came from a long way behind but I managed to do it.”
In an interview with Citius Mag, Moraa, asked how it felt to finally win the worlds, said she was happy. “This is a big achievement this season. I just want to say thank you to my coach Alex Sang, family and my boyfriend for their support on this journey.”
Moraa steered clear of the conversation about Paris next year where she is expected to compete for the Olympic title that has only been won by one Kenyan woman, Pamela Jelimo in Beijing 2008.
“I have a few races remaining in the Diamond League which I am hoping to defend after clinching the overall win in 2022 so the season is not over yet.”
The Diamond League took a break after the London meet, paving way for the worlds. Action in the 14-meet series resumes on 31 August in Zurich before heading to Xiamen, China, Brussels and the final set for Eugene.
