Commonwealth Games 800m race champion Mary Moraa has explained why she was not satisfied despite setting a new meeting record during the Silesia Diamond League Circuit in Poland.

The 23-year-old failed to set a personal best at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Silesia on Sunday, July 16.

But Moraa, the world 800m bronze medalist, won the race in one minute and 56.85 seconds and saw off competition from Halima Nakaayi of Uganda, who was second, as she also recorded a personal best and national record of 1:57.78, while Jamaican Natoya Goule-Toppin finished third in 1:57.90.

Moraa unsatisfied

“I really wanted a personal best, which did not work, but it was still a good improvement. I thank God for everything. I am satisfied with the race and the win. I controlled the race from the front, which was my aim. It has become my habit to lead the pack,” Moraa said.

Before featuring in the World Athletics Championship in Budapest in August, Moraa will take part in the next Diamond League series in Monaco on Friday, July 21, where she hinted that she will run in the 400m.

“At the World Championships, I want to finish on the podium. I will run the 400m in Monaco and then go home to Kenya to train for Budapest,” the national 400m champion added.

Meanwhile, 1,500m champion Jakob Ingebrigsten ruled the race despite stiff competition from the Kenyan force. The Norwegian clocked 3:27.14, and that means he broke his European record to set a new career-best and meeting record. Abel Kipsang, who is on Team Kenya for the Budapest championship, was second after running 3:29.11.

Reynold Kipkorir, the World Under-20 800m champion, was third in 3:30.30, while World Under-20 800m champion Victor Kibet finished a distant sixth.

Kibiwott outshone

Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali won the steeplechase race as the Olympic and world 3,000m champion in 8:03.16. Abraham Kibiwott was second to the Moroccan star as the Commonwealth Games champion recorded a running time of 8:08.03. By timing 8:09.45, Leonard Bett finished third.