Mary Moraa's cousin eases to 800m final at World U20 Championships

Mary Moraa's cousin eases to 800m final at World U20 Championships

Festus Chuma 09:00 - 30.08.2024

Sarah Moraa advances to the 800m final, while Kenyan runners Kelvin Kimutai Koech and Phanuel Kipkosgei also reach the men's final.

Mary Moraa’s cousin, Sarah Moraa, effortlessly clinched a spot in the women's 800m final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

With a competitive time of 2:03.44 in the third semifinal Moraa not only secured her position but also raised expectations for a podium finish in a highly anticipated final.

Following in the athletic strides of her cousin Mary who captured bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sarah Moraa is shaping up to be a formidable contender.

Her performance in Lima mirrors the tenacity and skill that have become synonymous with the Moraa family name in the world of middle-distance running.

In the final, Sarah will compete against a diverse and talented field. Rin Kubo of Japan, who recorded the fastest qualifying time at 2:03.00, is expected to be a major challenge.

Kubo's strategy of controlling the pace and delivering a powerful finish has made her a favorite for the title. Her composed approach to high-pressure races will be a significant advantage as she aims for gold.

Close behind Kubo is Sophia Gorriaran from the USA, who trailed the Japanese runner by just 0.01 seconds in her own semifinal.

Gorriaran's remarkable speed and competitive drive are likely to ignite a fierce contest between the two. The American’s ability to perform under pressure makes her a serious contender for the top spot.

Spain’s Marta Mitjans, who set a personal best of 2:03.20, is another athlete to watch. Mitjans enters the final buoyed by her recent performance and the psychological boost of a personal record.

Adding to the mix is Claudia Hollingsworth from Australia, who won her heat with a time of 2:03.52. Hollingsworth's tactical knowledge and race management are expected to play a crucial role in the final, where strategy will be as important as speed.

The field is rounded out by Marie Celie Warneke of Germany, Lorenza De Noni of Italy, and Aster Areri of Ethiopia, all of whom have shown promising form. Warneke’s recent personal best of 2:03.83 makes her a wildcard entry, capable of causing an upset.

The men's 800m races also highlighted upcoming talents, with Australia’s Peyton Craig leading the pack with a time of 1:47.31 in the first semifinal. Craig’s perfectly timed finish ahead of Kenya's Kelvin Kimutai Koech, who clocked 1:47.53, positions him as a strong gold medal contender.

Ethiopia’s General Berhanu Ayansa and Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech also advanced, setting the stage for a riveting showdown. Ayansa secured his final spot by winning the second semifinal in 1:47.28, while Phanuel Kipkosgei narrowly outpaced Japan’s Ko Ochiai in the last semifinal.