Mary Moraa claims victory in Rabat with ruthlessly dominant performance

Mary Moraa wows the crowd during Kip Keino Classic Photo by Eric Baraza

ATHLETICS Mary Moraa claims victory in Rabat with ruthlessly dominant performance

Joel Omotto 21:59 - 28.05.2023

Kisii Express took command of the race and did not relinquish her lead to begin her Diamond trophy hunt in style

Commonwealth 800m champion Mary Moraa made her intentions of winning a World Championship medal clear following victory at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday.

Moraa clocked a season’s best 1:58.72 to win the race ahead of Catriona Bisset of Australia (2:00.11) while Sage Hurta-Klecker of the United States completed the podium in 2:00.62.

The 22-year-old took command of the race from the start and maintained her lead to the finish line, asserting her authority in Morocco once again, having won at the very same venue on her way to claiming the Diamond League trophy last year.

Moraa headed to the Morocco capital on the back of her victory at the Kip Keino Classic where she clocked a season best 1:58.83 to upstage a strong field while also getting her revenge against South African Prudence Sekgodiso, who beat her at the last minute to claim victory last year.

The 22-year-old was returning to a venue she knows too well after she clocked 1:58.93 to win the Rabat Diamond League last year and she was looking to lower her time to put her in good stead ahead of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August.

Moraa run 1:56 when she won bronze at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, clocking 1:56.71 and those are the levels she is seeking to get at.

‘Kisii Express’ had admitted that she had not fully hit her form after the Kip Keino Classic victory and the Diamond League meetings are set to give her a good picture of where is at as she eyes a podium finish at the World Championships.

Moraa is also lined up for the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland on June 30, an event that will come after her participation in the Kenya Police Championship early next month.