My Sports Mary Moraa claims Kenya’s last medal at World Athletics Championships after finishing third in women’s 800m | https://www.standardmedia.co.ke | By Odero Charles | Jul 25th 2022
Bronze medallist Moraa [Twitter]
Kenya’s Mary Moraa on Monday morning claimed bronze in the women’s 800m after finishing third behind Athing Mu of USA and Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who led the pack going into the final lap, Kelly Hodgkingson of Great Britain at the World Athletics Champi- finished fourth in 1:57.02. onships in Oregon. After claiming the bronze, Moraa said: “This is a very special achieveAthing Mu,20, took up the running with 300m to go but Hodgkin- ment for me and my village. The race was tough but I tried to push son, also second behind her in the Tokyo Olympics, went with her myself to finish like this. I gained my limits like 200m to go and I saw and when the American drifted slightly wide coming into the home the girls in front of me. straight, the Briton, also 20, squeezed into the gap and looked set to go past. “But then I decided to close the gap and to move forward. Like 100m to go, they tried to push hard but I also did it. I pushed myself until Hodgkinson cut inside to start the final 100 meters, but she only held the finish to take bronze and I am so happy about it.” the lead for a moment as Mu retook the lead and sprinted to the finish line. On her part, Athing Mu, who is now the Olympic and world champion at that distanc, said she struggled in capturing gold in the 800, Mu, who became the first American woman to win the 800m world busting through the two laps in 1:56.30 — a .08 margin over Britain’s championship title, an event that has been contested since 1983, Keely Hodgkinson. passed the line in a world lead time of 1:56.30, with Hodgkinson second in 1:56.38. “I’m just glad I could make it to the line and finish the race,” she said. “And thank God I won gold.” There was also a personal best for bronze medallist Moraa who finished the race in 1:56.71 to claim Kenya’s last medal at the World Athletics Championships.
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
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