Kenya's Mary Moraa celebrates winning and taking the gold medal in the women's 800m final athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 6, 2022./Glyn Kirk | AFP
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Brilliant Mary Moraa wins 800m gold in Commonwealth Games

August 7, 2022
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World 800 metres bronze medallist Mary Moraa put up a brilliant fight to win the women’s 800m gold in the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday.

Moraa clocked 1:57.07 for gold ahead of England’s Keely Hodgkinson who timed 1:57.40 while Scotland’s Laura Muir settled third in 1:57.87.

Kenya’s Mary Moraa celebrates winning and taking the gold medal in the women’s 800m final athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 6, 2022./Glyn Kirk | AFP

Moraa, who hit the bell in 55.6 seconds, would fall to the tail end before charging gradually to the front at the homestraight to win in one minute and 57.07 seconds.

The victory saw Moraa recapture the title Kenya relinquished in 2018 Gold Coast to South Africa’s Caster Semenya.

Kenya’s Mary Moraa (centre) celebrates winning and taking the gold medal, followed by second-placed England’s Keely Hodgkinson (second right) and third-placed Scotland’s Laura Muir (left) in the women’s 800m final athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 6, 2022./Glyn Kirk | AFP

Moraa stunned World 800m silver medallist Hodgkinson from England to second place in 1:57.40 as World 1,500m bronze medallist Muir from Scotland collected bronze in 1:57.87.

“I am just happy…I just lack the words to express my joy,” said Moraa, who broke to a victory dance after crossing the finish line.

This was Kenya’s fourth gold in the 2022 ‘Club’ Games, after Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Jackline Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase), Abraham Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase) won titles in their respective races.

Kenya’s Mary Moraa celebrates winning and taking the gold medal in the women’s 800m final athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 6, 2022./Glyn Kirk | AFP

Kenya’s medallists in Birmingham

Gold: Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Jackline Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase),
Abraham Kibiwott (3,000m steeplechase), Mary Moraa (800m)

Silver: Timothy Cheruiyot (1,500m), Daniel Simiu (10,000m), Irene Cheptai (10,000m), Margaret Wangari (Marathon), Nicholas Kimeli (5000m)

Bronze: Michael Githae (Marathon), Amos Serem (3,00m steeplechase)
Kibiwott Kandie (10,000m), Sheila Chepkirui (10,000m), Emily Ngii (10,000m race walk), Hellen Wawira (para powerlifting), Jacob Krop (5,000m).

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