Kenya’s Sarah Moraa has won 800 meters gold medal in the Under 20 World Athletics Championship.

Moraa won after a stunning performance in Lima, Peru, on Friday, August 30, 2024, night. 

Sarah Moraa’s spirited run

She dominated the 800m race, clocking an impressive 2:00.36 to secure the gold medal for Kenya. 

Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth took the silver with a time of 2:00.87, while the United States’ Sophia Gorriaran claimed bronze, finishing in 2:01.04.

“It’s Moraa’s moment. Kenya’s Sarah Moraa leads the 800m from gun to tape and powers to gold with 2:00.36. Claudia Hollingsworth second, Sophia Gorriaran third,” World Athletics announced in a statement shared via X.

It's Moraa's moment ‼️

🇰🇪's Sarah Moraa leads the 800m from gun to tape and powers to gold with 2:00.36 😮‍💨

🥈 Claudia Hollingsworth 🇦🇺
🥉 Sophia Gorriaran 🇺🇸 #WorldAthleticsU20 pic.twitter.com/pMV9Af0TNu

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 30, 2024

Sarah Moraa is continuing a proud family legacy, following in the footsteps of her elder cousin, Mary Moraa, who won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Rising star

With this victory, Sarah is now firmly positioned as a rising star. In the Friday night victory, she led the race from the start to the finish.

“Kenyan 800m glory. Sarah Moraa leads the 800m from start to finish on her way to the world U20 title,” a statement by World Athletics reads.

Kenyan 800m glory ✨

Sarah Moraa leads the 800m from start to finish on her way to the world U20 title 👏#WorldAthleticsU20 pic.twitter.com/n4jMgkZLqO

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 31, 2024

Sarah Moraa won the third semifinal in 2:03.44 to book her place in the final.

Kenya’s medals

Her gold medal adds to the list of other medals that have been won by Kenyan athletes at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championship.

Kenya’s Dennis Kipkoech grabbed a silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase for men as Diana Chepkemoi won a bronze in the women’s category of the World U20 Championships in a final run on Friday, August 30, 2024.

In the men’s race, Kipkoech failed to win gold as a surprise winner emerged. Norway’s Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen timed 8:20.56 to win ahead of Kenya’s Kipkoech (8:20.79) and Britain’s Edward Bird (8:21.00).

Kenya’s other representative, Clinton Kimutai, launched a vicious surge, and he was joined at the front by Kipkoech with a lap left but faded through the field on the back straight.