Mary Moraa ran the race of her life at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games to win Kenya's fourth Gold medal on Sunday 6 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The 22-year-old who has never won an individual gold medal for Kenya in major international competitions clocked 1:57.07 to win the closely contested 800m race.
She started the race strongly, opening a few meters gap between her and the rest of the contenders in the first lap.
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At the start of the second lap, she slowed down allowing the other competitors to advance forward, before producing a brilliant kick in the last 200m to win the race.
Moraa's huge strides enabled her to outpace the leading pack that had the likes of Scotland's Laura Muir, Jamaica's Natayo Goule and England's Keely Hodgkinson.
Race favorite Hodgkinson took silver in 1:57.40 ahead of Muir who clocked 1:57.87.
Immediately after crossing the finish line, Moraa showed the crowd another side of her, breaking into a lively dance with the fans cheering her on.
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The Mogonga PAG Mixed Secondary School alumna took to social media after the race to thank God and her supporters for the impressive performance.
"It is a very big victory to all of you who have been hoping, supporting and trusting in me. Am confused, and don't even know what to say. I thank God. It is a gold, yes a gold," read her Facebook post.
Watching her dance brought back the memories of Kenya's 3,000m legend Ezekiel Kemboi who used to entertain fans with unique moves every time he registered a podium place finish.
Moraa then matched briskly to the stands where she was welcomed by a Kenyan congregation. Among them was the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion Janet Busienei Jepkosgei commonly known as Eldoret Express. Jepkosgei is Moraa's mentor and coach.
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