Kenya's Dorcas Ewoi wins as Athing Mu fades to fifth at Holloway Pro Classic

In her first competitive race back from the U.S. Olympic trials, Athing Mu faded to finish fifth as little-known Kenyan Dorcas Ewoi took the top prize.

The women’s 800m at the Holloway Classic was nothing short of young talent and Mu was seeking a bounce back after the fall at the U.S. Olympic trials that denied her a chance to compete at her second Olympic Games.

She was off to a great start, running from the front during the better part of the race but a few meters to the finish line, she experienced burn out and her competitors ran away with the first four slots.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X handle for more updates.

Ewoi came from behind, sprinting past Mu as she claimed the win in 1:58.19 as the American duo of Addy Wiley and Olivia Baker finished second and third in respective times of 1:58.71 and 1:58.95. Rachel Gearing finished fourth in the race, crossing the finish line in 1:59.50.

Mu, the reigning Olympic 800m champion, could only afford a fifth-place finish in 2:00.29 but she will sure bounce back to winning ways in due time.

Meanwhile, the world 800m silver medallist suffered an Achilles injury that saw her open her season at the U.S. Olympic trials. She intended to compete at the Prefontaine Classic but was forced to withdraw due to the injury upset.

At the U.S. Olympic trials, she started her campaign with a third-place finish in the preliminaries before winning the semifinal. However, going into the final, Mu was tripped and she fell, ending up ninth to miss a direct Olympic slot.

She appealed for the race to be competed again but USATF, the American track and field governing body denied her the appeal.