Mary Moraa added one final gold to Kenya’s medal tally on the final night of action at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Sunday night to make sure her team finished as the best of the African teams in fifth place overall on the medal table.
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The Commonwealth Games champion ensured the Hungarian crowd would be treated to one of her usual post-victory dance celebrations by storming to gold in the women’s 800m in a personal best time.
Best celebration of the #WorldAthleticsChamps 🤝 Mary Moraa
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 27, 2023
What a women's 800m final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/skq3EevlJf
It was America’s defending world and Olympic champion Athing Mu who led for the entire race but she couldn’t maintain the pace.
Bolting down the home straight, Moraa came around the outside of Mu to clinch the gold in 1:56.03 while Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson passed her on the inside to secure the silver in 1:56.34 with the American settling for the bronze in 1:56.61.
Having built up enough of a lead, the Kenyan still had enough time – and energy – to jump with joy over the finish line.
The medal presentation had a familiar feel to it with the same three runners as last year featuring on the podium, with just Mu and Moraa switching places and Hodgkinson claiming a second straight silver.
“I am pleased to get the gold this time and become the world champion. After bronze last year I wanted to improve and I have,” said Moraa afterwards.
“Everyone in the final was so fast, I knew I would have to have a fast finish. I came from a long way behind, but I managed to do it. Since last year, me and my coach have been talking and working a lot, changing some things. My coach is a kind of a role model to me, and this is why I have shown such confidence this season.”
Moraa’s story is a remarkable one, having grown up an orphan and deciding to pursue running when she heard that her mother, who died when the new world champion was just two years old, was a runner herself.
SILVER AND BRONZE FOR KENYA IN STEEPLECHASE
Meanwhile, back in Budapest, world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and fellow-Kenyan Faith Cherotich claimed silver and bronze in the women’s 3 000m steeplechase behind Kenyan-born Winfred Mutile Yavi, who now represents Bahrain.
Yavi fell on the water jump during the heats a few days ago but still managed to make her way through to the final where she comfortably cruised to victory in 8:54.29 – the fastest time in the world this year.
Chepkoech was second in 8:58.98 and Cherotich third in a personal best time of 9:00.69.
.@WinfredYavi becomes the first athlete from Bahrain to win the 3000m steeplechase at the #WorldAthleticsChamps
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 27, 2023
World lead as the cherry on top 🍒 pic.twitter.com/AJTGsTSY6u
“This silver feels like gold to me,” said Chepkoech, who has been struggling with hamstring and ankle injuries.
“The last few years have been tough due to my injury. Coming back is something special for me.
“After being out for the last two years it has been so hard. Since the 2020 Olympics I have been struggling and I thought I might never come back. But tonight proves I am still strong. I train with Moraa, but I couldn't watch her race. I am so happy for her because it has been so long she has been waiting for this. It is an incredible night for Kenya.”
YOUNG KENYAN CLAIMS 5 000M BRONZE
There was another podium performance for Kenya in the men’s 5 000m final. While Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen made up for the disappointment of missing out on a 1 500m victory by clinching gold in the longer distance, young Kenyan Jacob Krop claimed the bronze.
Ingebrigtsen produced a season’s best 13:11.30 for the win, with Spain’s Mohamed Katir second in 13:11.44 and Krop third in 13:12.28.
What a finish in the men's 5000m 👀
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 27, 2023
Jakob Ingebrigtsen digs deep and successfully defends his 5000m #WorldAthleticsChamps title 👏 pic.twitter.com/kzz6iaKgtL
“I was ready for a race like this,” said Krop after adding the bronze to the World Championships silver he won in the event last year. “It is similar at every single global final that we play tactical games.
“I tried to keep my personal pace under control and cover all the movements of my rivals, waiting for them to speed up. I worked a lot on improving my speed and it paid off tonight. The last 100m were the most difficult for me, but I believed I could catch the leaders.
“Now my dreams are even bigger than before the champs. I am much more confident. My next goal is a medal from the Paris Olympics and a world gold.”
AFRICA WELL REPRESENTED IN MEDALS TABLE
In the penultimate event of the championships, there was disappointment for Botswana’s team of Zibane Ngozi, Baboloki Thebe, Laone Ditshetelo and Leungo Scotch who were disqualified from the 4x400m final for impeding another team during a changeover.
Botswana can nevertheless be proud of their impressive results at these championships, which were highlighted by young sprinter Letsile Tebogo’s silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.
That saw them finishing 26th on the medal table, which was topped by the USA.
Kenya finished fifth, Ethiopia sixth, Uganda 11th, Morocco joint 15th and Burkina Faso joint 18th.