Lilian Odira poses with her gold medal at the Tokyo World Championship PHOTO/POOL
World 800m champion Lilian Odira says she is determined to prove her historic victory was no fluke as she sets her sights on building a lasting legacy in the two-lap race.
The 26-year-old stunned the athletics world when she clocked 1:54.62 to win gold, shattering Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing championship record of 1:54.68 set in 1983.
Britain’s Georgia Hunter-Bell and Keely Hodgkinson claimed silver and bronze in 1:54.90 and 1:54.91, respectively, making history as the first time three women dipped under 1:55 in a single race.
Odira’s time was also the fastest ever recorded on Asian soil, surpassing Pamela Jelimo’s 1:54.87 from the 2008 Olympic Games. Her personal best improved by nearly two seconds.
“I want to thank God for the victory, I believe he was with me throughout the world championships because it wasn’t easy and I am so happy. I would like to thank my family, coach, teammates, and I dedicate this medal to my boys,” Odira said after the race.
Teammates Sarah Moraa and outgoing world champion Mary Moraa finished fourth and seventh, respectively.
Reflecting on her journey, Odira added: “I have been patient with my career from junior to senior level. I knew I had it in me but I had to be patient. I got my experience in the Olympics and knew I had a lot to do. I ran the race as Odira and to grab gold, and I know everything is possible with discipline, hard work and consistency. I will strategise with my coach on my next step because being a world champion comes with a lot of expectations.”
The victory propelled Odira and Hunter-Bell into seventh and ninth place respectively on the world all-time 800m list.
Kenya finished second overall with a record 11 medals, surpassing the 10 won in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2023.
Born and raised in Migori County, Odira is now focused on defending her crown at the next World Athletics Championships, set for Beijing in 2027.
