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World Athletics Championships: Mary Moraa and Lilian Odira qualify for 800m semifinal

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Kenya's Mary Moraa reacts after competing in the women's 800m heats during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 18, 2025 [Philip Fong, AFP]

Defending champion Mary Moraa kept her title defence hopes alive at the 2025 World Athletics Championships after qualifying for the 800m semi-finals alongside compatriot Lilian Odira, while Sarah Moraa and Vivian Kiprotich bowed out.

Moraa, who has struggled with form this season, secured a spot in the next round with a second-place finish in Heat 2, clocking 1:58.44. She crossed the line just behind France's Anais Borgouin (1:58.43), with Slovakia's Gabriela Gajanova third in 2:00.44. The Kenyan appeared set for victory but eased off before the finish, having already done enough to advance.

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