Mary Moraa has returned the 800-minute title to Kenya after a 10-year absence.
Moraa, the World and Commonwealth champion, called the 800m final race at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, the most difficult challenge she has faced in her sports career.
Moraa stated that she had to run with her brain and that the race required a lot of calculation.
"This race had the 'who is who' in the two-lap event and I must admit I was not even sure of the crown. I was sure of winning a medal but I must admit gold came as a major surprise," she revealed.
Moraa gave Kenya its third gold medal in the women's 800m championships, following Faith Kipyegon's wins in the 1500m and 5000m.
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Kenya now has ten medals, three gold, three silver, and four bronze, and is ranked fifth on the leaderboard. Keely Hodgkinson of the United Kingdom won silver, while Athing Mu of the United States got bronze.
Moraa ran a personal best of 1:56.03, Hodgkinson recorded a season-best of 1:56.34, and Mu ran a season-best of 1:56.61. Moraa said she had a lot on her mind during the final because at least four of her competitors had what it took to win.
"I didn't know whether Hodgkinson would carry the day or whether Mu would pull a surprise. I was on the lookout and ran a very calculated race," she noted. She aimed to complete the first lap in 57 seconds and was pleased to have set a personal best in the final.
Moraa wasn't sure if Mu intended the race to be fast or slow, but she was prepared for everything. "I had to be extremely cautious and save all of my energy for the final kick."
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She claimed the gold medal was her most outstanding achievement, and she dedicated it to her coach and boyfriend.
She thinks her triumph would encourage other 800m runners, as Kenya last won the title in 2013, thanks to Eunice Sum.
"We must do something at the Olympic Games in Paris if not sweep the board," she noted.
Moraa is targeting the final Diamond League meeting in Eugene before taking a break.
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