Mary Moraa’s cousin to face fierce 800m challenge at World U20 Championships

The World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima will feature a young Kenyan athlete competing against top emerging 800m talents.

Mary Moraa’s cousin, Sarah Moraa, is set to follow in the footsteps of her accomplished relative by vying for a global 800m title at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima.

The event, scheduled to open with heats on the first day, August 27, will see the 18-year-old Kenyan athlete competing against some of the world's most promising young middle-distance runners.

Sarah Moraa has emerged as one of Kenya's brightest prospects, having recently lowered her personal best to an impressive 1:59.39 during the Kenyan Olympic Trials in June, where she finished third.

Her performance has made her the second fastest in the field of competitors based on personal best times.

The entries are led by Australia's Claudia Hollingsworth, who has established herself as the favorite by setting a new national U20 800m record with a time of 1:58.40.

Hollingsworth went on to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics, where she reached the semi-finals, underscoring the level of competition Moraa will face in Lima.

Despite the stiff competition, Moraa remains undeterred.

She draws inspiration from her cousin Mary Moraa, who finished fifth at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2018 before gradually building her career to become the world 800m champion at the senior level in 2023.

Mary has been a mentor to Sarah, guiding her through the challenges of elite competition and providing a roadmap for success.

“I want to come back home with something good,” said Sarah Moraa confidently in a past interview.

“I don’t have a lot of pressure because when I look at Mary (Moraa) at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, she didn’t even get to the finals. However, this time around she got to the finals and won a medal. I am motivated to go to Peru and I believe I will medal.”

Moraa's competition in Lima will be fierce. Alongside Hollingsworth, the field includes several other strong contenders.

Among them is Sophia Gorriaran, a 19-year-old American who equaled her personal best of 2:00.65 in May and finished seventh in the semi-finals of the US Olympic Trials in June.

Gorriaran's experience on the senior stage could make her a formidable opponent.

Japan’s Rin Kubo is another athlete to watch. The 16-year-old sensation clocked an impressive 1:59.93 in Nara last month, signaling her arrival as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport. Kubo’s rapid development suggests she could be a surprise medal contender in Lima.

European athletes are also expected to be in the mix, with Norway’s Malin Hoelsveen, Germany’s Jana Marie Becker, and Italy’s Ngalula Gloria Kabangu all showing strong form leading up to the championships.

Each of these athletes has the potential to challenge for a podium finish, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a highly competitive event.

Sarah Moraa, however, is not allowing the pressure to overshadow her ambitions.

“I’m not under the pump to deliver,” she explained.

“Mary did not start off her career in winning ways but had to build herself and go through phases in order to emerge victorious. I’m taking it one step at a time.”