World 800m champion Mary Moraa faces a tough challenge as she prepares for a historic title defense in Tokyo 2025.
Reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa is on a mission to make history at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
No Kenyan woman has ever successfully defended the world title in the two-lap event, but Moraa is determined to be the first.
Kishane Thompson has revealed his deep passion, calling it his “happy place,” as he kicks off his 2025 season with impressive performances.
The 24-year-old has her sights set on joining an elite club of back-to-back 800m world champions, a feat only achieved by Cuba’s Ana Fidelia Quirot (1995 and 1997) and South Africa’s Caster Semenya (2009 and 2011).
“I was discussing it with my mentor, Hellen Obiri. No one has won it twice in recent years—there have been different champions in 2019, 2022, and 2023. That shows how tough it is to retain the title. I hope God will help me bring it back home. It would mean everything to me,” said Moraa. in an interview with Citizen.
Her journey to Tokyo has already begun, with rigorous training under the guidance of her coach. Moraa has mapped out her 2025 season meticulously, with her first competitive test set for April in Jamaica, where she will compete in both the 800m and 1500m events.
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Moraa’s hunger for success is fueled by her bronze medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite not clinching gold, standing on the podium at the grandest stage of all reignited her passion and made her even more determined to defend her world title.
“I have resumed training, and our main focus is the World Championships. I’m taking it step by step as I prepare for the competitions ahead,” she added.
Moraa’s rise to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. She is only the third Kenyan woman to have won the 800m world title, following in the footsteps of Janet Jepkosgei (2007) and Eunice Sum (2013).
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Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell shared the stage in a famed rivalry for the better part of a decade in the 2000s.
Now, she has the chance to achieve what neither of them could—win it twice.
Her ability to switch gears and unleash her signature sprint finish in the final 200 meters has made her one of the most formidable middle-distance runners in the world.
However, she knows the road to Tokyo will be filled with challenges, including competition from a new generation of 800m stars emerging on the global stage.
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One of the biggest obstacles for any defending champion is the unpredictability of the event.
Since Caster Semenya’s back-to-back victories over a decade ago, no woman has been able to retain the title.
If she succeeds in defending her title, Moraa will not only write her name in the history books but also inspire a new generation of Kenyan athletes to dream bigger.
