Mary Moraa: Why Team Kenya Must Now Compete Without Their Sprint Queen

Mary Moraa

Mary Moraa: Why Team Kenya Must Now Compete Without Their Sprint Queen

Festus Chuma 00:03 - 07.05.2025

Mary Moraa ruled out of World Relays as Team Kenya departs for China, sparking questions and concern ahead of global event.

Reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa has been shockingly ruled out of the upcoming World Athletics Relays Championships set for May 10–11 in Guangzhou, China, due to a last-minute visa hitch.

The absence of Moraa, one of Kenya’s standout athletes, comes as a major blow to the national team, especially given her potential contribution in the 4x400m and mixed relay events.

Moraa was expected to be a linchpin in the women’s and mixed teams thanks to her global experience and blistering pace.

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Team Kenya concluded its residential training camp on Wednesday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where athletes had been stationed since April 14, two days after the national trials.

Training has been smooth from the word go and I have witnessed a lot of improvement in the athletes,” said head coach Stanley Towet.

“For example, when we started the camp, the athletes were clocking over 12 seconds in the 120m sprints, but this has dropped to 11.5. This gives us hope of performing well in the 4x100m.”

Coach Towet, who has overseen the rigorous training program, lamented the timing of Moraa’s withdrawal but remains optimistic about the rest of the squad’s chances.

The team has been preparing through daily drills and selected morning runs in Karura Forest to build endurance, speed, and coordination ahead of the global meet.

The rest of Team Kenya is set to depart for China on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:10 p.m. aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR 1336 via Doha.

They are expected to arrive in Guangzhou on Thursday afternoon, just in time for a final round of tuning and jet lag recovery before the competition begins.

“We have done most of what we expected to even though we will tune up once in China to shake off the jet lag and acclimatise,” Towet added.

“Relays require at least a month in training to harmonise all the aspects, especially baton flow in the 4x100m.”

The team boasts strong talent in the sprinting ranks, with several athletes clocking national-level times in the 400m.

“We have three 4x400m men who have clocked 44 seconds over 400m and three women who have run 51 seconds,” Towet revealed.

We have very high hopes about them qualifying for the World Championships in the 4x400m and the 4x400m mixed relays.”

Among the bright new prospects is Isaac Omurwa, who will be making his senior debut. The young sprinter is relishing the opportunity to learn from more experienced teammates.

“The camp has been good. The coaches and athletes have been cooperative. I can’t complain,” said Omurwa.

“We have hopes that we will bring back good results from China. The targets for all the athletes is qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

“This is my first World (Relay) Championships, and I am happy about it. I have a lot of expectations, what to see, what to do.

“I will be running amongst senior athletes like Omanyala, Wiseman and Mweresa, great athletes who have done great things in the sport. I am looking up to them and they have been telling me what to do and what not to. I have learnt a lot from them.”

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Team Kenya’s advance party, including Commonwealth 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, Olympian Zablon Ekwam, and coach Simon Riga, are already in China making final preparations.

Despite the unfortunate loss of Moraa, the team remains determined to make a mark on the global stage and secure valuable qualification slots for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.

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