Tsige Duguma Storms to 800m World Lead to Challenge Mary Moraa and Keely Hodgkinson

Olympics 800m silver medallist Tsige Duguma has fired a resounding warning to her main rivals Mary Moraa and Keely Hodgkinson, storming to a commanding win in the women’s 800m at the Shanghai Diamond League.

The Ethiopian sensation clocked a staggering 1:56.64 to take gold—smashing the Meet Record (MR), World Lead (WL), and National Record (NR) in one breathtaking performance.

On a warm and electric morning in Shanghai, Duguma demonstrated her championship mettle, surging ahead from the final bend and powering through the home stretch with a blend of speed and grit that left the chasing pack in her wake.

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Behind Duguma’s blistering run, Australia’s Sarah Billings shocked the field with a personal-best 1:57.83 to claim second, vaulting two spots from her qualifying position.

The 26-year-old ran the race of her life, clinging to Duguma’s early move and holding off a charging Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda, who finished third in 1:58.39, a season-best mark for the 2019 world champion.

Fourth place went to Jamaican veteran Natoya Goule-Toppin, who showed great strength in the final 100 meters to finish in 1:58.43. She narrowly edged out rising U.S. star Addison Wiley, who clocked 1:58.59, her fastest time this year.

Ethiopia’s depth in the two-lap event was on full display, with Duguma’s compatriots Nigist Getachew and Habitam Alemu finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. Getachew ran a season-best 1:58.67, while Alemu posted 1:59.57 after a strong early showing.

Sage Hurta-Klecker of the USA, in seventh, improved her standing with a 1:59.11 finish, while Great Britain's Erin Wallace broke the elusive 2-minute barrier for the first time this year with a 2:00.30 season best in ninth.

Rounding out the top ten was Benin’s Noélie Yarigo (2:01.96), while Ethiopia’s Saron Berhe struggled in the latter half and finished 11th in 2:02.43. Poland’s Julia Jaguscik did not complete the race.

Duguma’s victory was not just another race win—it was a statement of intent. With Mary Moraa and Keely Hodgkinson both watching from afar, the Ethiopian star has made it clear that she’s not merely a contender—she’s the one to beat.

Her fearless front-running style, combined with her devastating finish, has added a new layer of intrigue to what is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested events at the Paris 2024 Olympics.