Lilian Odira and Emmanuel Wanyonyi Receive Head of State’s Commendations After Tokyo Heroics

World champions Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Lilian Odira have been feted for their extraordinary achievements on track this year with Head of State’s Commendations.

The two flew Kenya’s flag in international races with the climax being at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where they won gold in the men’s and women’s 800m.

Wanyonyi had a great season, winning four of his six Diamond League series meetings, before claiming the trophy at the season finale, while he also had four of the six fastest times of the year, among them a world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco.

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He capped off the year by winning his maiden world title, clocking a championship-record 1:41.86 in Tokyo, Japan as he fended off Algerian Djamel Sedjati and defending champion Marco Arop to win gold.

Wanyonyi was crowned the World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year last month and now, he has also been awarded with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW.) by President William Ruto during the Jamhuri Day celebrations on Friday.

Also receiving an OGW was Odira, who was the surprise world 800m champion in Tokyo in September. While defending champion Mary Moraa and Olympics gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson were tipped to go for the gold medal, Odira upset the formbook.

With Moraa leading in the final and then fading off, it seemed like Hodgkinson and British compatriot Georgia Bell would fight it out for gold but Odira summoned a great finishing kick to stun them both and win the coveted medal in a new championship record of 1:54.62.

Odira’s heroics in Tokyo had also seen her promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Kenya Prisons Service. The two athletes were honoured for sustaining Kenya’s legacy in middle-distance running.

The OGW award is conferred upon individuals in recognition of their selfless and dedicated service to the nation, honouring them for going beyond their ordinary duties in a remarkable way.