The 800m runner has turned her Olympic heartbreak into motivation aiming for a strong comeback at the Tokyo World Championships.
Mary Moraa’s cousin, Sarah Moraa is determined to turn heartbreak into triumph after narrowly missing out on a spot in the women’s 800m team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The World Under-20 champion came agonizingly close to the Olympic entry mark of 1:59.30, clocking 1:59.39 to finish third at the Kenya Olympic trials—just nine milliseconds short of securing her debut at the global sporting showpiece.
The 19-year-old middle-distance runner is now fully focused on qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships in September.
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With her sights set on a sub-1:59.00 performance, Moraa is sharpening her skills and fine-tuning her strategy to secure her place on the world stage.
“I missed out on the Olympics after falling short of the qualifying time, but I’m fully committed to hitting the mark for the World Championships this year,” Moraa said in an interview with The Star.
To achieve her goal, Moraa is banking on the Diamond League series as a prime opportunity to clock the required qualification time. She believes competing against elite athletes will push her to achieve the sub-1:59.00 mark she is chasing.
“I plan to participate in several Diamond League meetings to meet the World Championships standard early,” she stated.
Before her Diamond League campaign kicks off, Moraa will begin her competitive season at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, from March 21–23. She views the event as a crucial stepping stone to a strong outdoor season.
“The World Indoors will be my first test this year, and I see it as a great stepping stone to a strong track season. I’m aiming for good results,” she added.
Moraa’s confidence is at an all-time high, thanks to an impressive showing in the cross-country circuit. She showcased her endurance and strength at the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in Olkalou, where she finished fourth in the 2km loop race, clocking 9:41.1.
Building on that momentum, she dominated the Nairobi Region Cross Country Championships last Friday, claiming victory in 6:39.3 ahead of Vivian Cherotich (6:52.2) and Emily Cherotich (6:52.8).
“If I maintain this momentum, I’m confident I can hit the qualification time for Tokyo,” she said.
Moraa credits her cross-country races for laying a solid foundation ahead of the track season, helping her build the stamina necessary to tackle the grueling 800m event.
“My first cross-country race was in Olkalou, and Nairobi was my second. These races have been great for my endurance buildup,” she noted.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on Paris 2024, Moraa remains positive, considering last year a turning point in her career.
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She made her international debut at the World U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, where she clinched the 800m title in 2:00.36, announcing herself on the global stage.
“Last year was pivotal for me. It was my first time running the 800m internationally, and I owe a lot to my mentor Mary Moraa, who has been instrumental in my progress,” she shared.
Sarah’s ultimate goal remains clear—qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships and proving that missing out on the Olympics was just a minor setback in her promising career.
