‘They Will Enjoy Fruits of My Legs’ - Lilian Odira Reveals Who Will Get Big Share of Her Ksh12 Million Windfall

Lilian Odira was among the major surprises at the 2025 World Athletics Championships as she won gold in 800m against all odds.

Odira headed to Tokyo as one of the least talked about Team Kenya athletes but came back a superstar after a tactical race that saw her floor Olympics champion Keely Hodgkinson and defending champion Mary Moraa to claim her first-ever world title.

In the 800m final in Tokyo, Odira looked set to miss out on the podium as Moraa and Hodgkinson pushed each other for first position but the mother of two stormed from behind in the final stretch to stun the two favourites to win gold in a time of 1:54.62, her personal best and a championship record, with Georgia Bell winning silver ahead of the Olympics champion.

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Her heroics in Tokyo saw Odira take home $70,000 (Ksh9 million) being the reward for gold medalists from World Athletics while she will also receive an extra Ksh3 million from the Kenyan government, taking her total to Ksh12 million.

The 26-year-old says it is now time to return the favour to her parents after all they have done for her over the years.

“My parents have always been supportive. They follow and watch every race. They still send me pocket money even now,” Odira said during an interview on Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday. “My parents are going to enjoy the fruits of my legs.”

Odira is also not forgetting the person who has shaped her career, promising to richly reward her coach Jacinta Maraguri who has been with her since 2019, and experienced various ups and downs together.

“We started from grass with her (coach). I have had so many beautiful and great people around me. My kids are my daily motivators and that is why I wake up every morning," she added.

“I have the most understanding family. I just have to tell them I have gone to work and they understand. When I am out there, we talk on video calls and they tell me to make sure I win.”

Odira is planning to take a break before resuming training for the 2026 season where she has cast her eyes on winning gold at the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Ultimate Championships.