Keely Hodgkinson disappointed after bitter loss to Kenyan ace Mary Moraa in Lausanne

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ATHLETICS Keely Hodgkinson disappointed after bitter loss to Kenyan ace Mary Moraa in Lausanne

Abigael Wafula 08:50 - 01.07.2023

Moraa clocked 1:57.43 to cross the finish line as Hodgkinson followed in 1:58.37.

Going into the race as a favourite, all eyes were on World 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson to deliver but she failed to live up to the billing as she finished second behind Mary Moraa at the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Moraa, popularly known as Kisii Express controlled the race from gun to tape and Hodgkinson had no choice but was forced to settle behind her arch-rival. Moraa clocked 1:57.43 to cross the finish line as Hodgkinson followed in 1:58.37. Jamaica’s Natoya Goule sealed the podium in 1:58.90.

This was Hodgkinson’s first loss of the season and she expressed disappointment towards losing the race insisting that she was in good shape to take the victory.

In a post-race interview, the Briton said: “I wasn´t very happy about this race, I was in great shape, but I guess today was not my day. Mary was better. My plans for the season will not change. I really liked being here, running in a full stadium with a great crowd.”

This was also her second 800m race since she opened her outdoor season. She has been in impeccable form setting a world-leading time of 1:55.77 at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France.

On her part, Moraa, the world 800m bronze medallist noted that the race was not a walk in the park since the weather was a bit too strong for her.

She said: “It was a very challenging race and I felt completely empty at the end of it. The weather was particularly difficult for me. My mentor would have been extremely proud of my achievements tonight.”