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Kenya’s 800m Olympian and 2017 World Under 18 silver medallist Mary Moraa as well as former World 1,500m champion Kumari Taki have both expressed their delight after bagging tickets for the World Championships planned for July 14 to 24 in Eugene, Oregon. 

With Athletics Kenya (AK) and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) having agreed to host joint trials for the World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games from June 24 to 25 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the duo is now one hurdle away from being part of the biggest athletics event of the year. 

“Time was running out so you can imagine the relief after attaining the qualification mark,” said Moraa. 

“Now I can put my foot down and put all my energy into preparing for the World Championships,” said Moraa who won her maiden Diamond League at the Rabat leg on Sunday. 

Qualification mark

Moraa edged South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso winning in a personal best of 1:58.93, well inside the world qualification mark of 1:59.50. 

For Moraa it also acted as some sort of revenge against Sekgodiso, who beat her at the Kip Keino Classic on May 7. 

“I can now dream for the two major events in July and August, I know I will be better placed than I was at Tokyo Olympics last year. I have more experience now,” she added. 

On his part, Taki knows he has to finish inside the top two automatic slots during the trials to make the team. 

“I have ticked all the boxes, what remains is the trials, even with stiff competition, my prayer is that I will be among the first two athletes to cross the finish line,” said Taki. 

This comes after the 23-year-old Kenyan won a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, in Hengelo Netherlands on Monday evening. 

He set a season’s best time of 3:34.77, beating Oregon’s time of 3:35.00. 

“Another great win this season with a new season-best. I’m grateful to God for the qualifying time for the world championships. Focus is now shifted to trials and World Championships next month,” he wrote on his social media platforms.