Lilian Odira Shocks Keely Hodgkinson and Mary Moraa to Claim 800m Gold in Tokyo

Lilian Odira became the surprise world 800m champion after a stunning run in the final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.

The title looked headed to Olympics champion Keely Hodgkinson with world champion Mary Moraa on her trails but Odira summoned a great finishing kick to claim a gold medal against all odds.

Odira clocked a championship record of 1:54.62 for the gold medal with Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell claiming silver in a personal best 1:54.90, after getting ahead of compatriot Hodgkinson, who faded to third in 1:54.91.

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Sarah Moraa came in fourth while Mary Moraa, who had appeared set for a podium finish, faded to seventh place, despite taking the lead for most of the race.

It was a great outing for Odira, the African silver medalist, who had been nocking on the door for most of this year.

The mother of one had already shown her potential during the heats, when she effortlessly made it to the semi-final and the final as winner of her heats but few still gave her a chance.

Odira stayed under the radar as the spotlight was on her more illustrious rivals Mary Moraa, Hodgkinson, Hunter Bell and Sarah Moraa but when it mattered most, she did her job on the track.

With a very fast race, Odira stayed behind as Moraa and Hodgkinson exchanged leads but in the final stretch, she appeared from nowhere with a scorching run to sweep past the Olympics champion to win gold.

Hunter Bell managed second place as Hodgkinson held on for bronze with Sarah Moraa threatening to spoil her party.

It was a great end to what has been a good season for Odira, who ensured the 800m world title returned to Kenya, after Mary Moraa failed to defend it.