Lillian Odira ensured Kenya retained the 800m title after a late surge to emerge the winner with a new championship record of 1:54.62, breaking a 43-year-old record set by Czechoslovak Kratochvilova of 1:54.68, on the last day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Britain’s duo Georgia Hunterbell and Kelly Hodgkinson won silver and bronze in 1:54.90 and 1:54.91, respectively.
World Under-20 champion Sarah Moraa settled for 4th position as the defending champion, Mary Moraa, finished a distant 7th.
The 26-year-old from Migori is the 4th Kenyan to win the global title over the two-lap race after Janeth Jepkosgei in 2007, Eunice Sum in 2013, and Mary Moraa in 2023, summing up her scintillating form, having won the Prisons Championships, the nationals, and the national trials.
Odira’s gold ensured Kenya cemented its 2nd position on the medal table with 7 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.
