800m Commonwealth champion Mary Moraa has disclosed the role her training mate Hellen Obiri played in nurturing her talent.
According to Moraa, Obiri advised her not to give up on the 800m race when she was at the lowest point of her career.
“I never believed I could run 800m. When I started training, it was tough. In my first ever race, I ran 2:06 and it was so tough.
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“I told her that it was very tough and I couldn’t survive and I wanted to go back and concentrate on the 400m. She warned me sternly never to find me in the 400m race and told me that I had the ability to improve,” she was quoted by Capital Sports.
The Mogonga Mixed Secondary School alumnus further disclosed that the endless words of encouragement she received from the double Olympic champion were very influential.
“I had already given up on the 800m. But the motivation she gave me helped me focus. I kept training and listening to her advice as well as what the coaches told me. I embraced the program with both hands and I always encouraged myself to try and finish.” added Moraa.
Moraa broke into the limelight during the World Under 18 athletics championships held in Nairobi in 2017 when she bagged a 400m silver medal for Kenya in sensational fashion.
Similar to Obiri, who used to compete in various disciplines including triple jump and 1,500m before settling for 10,000m and 5,000m races, Moraa has also been a versatile athlete.
She has featured in various races including the 200m and the 4 x 400m relay before settling for the 800m race.
Moraa has posted impressive results this season in the 800m race winning various titles including a bronze medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old ended her 2022 season by winning the coveted Wanda Diamond League trophy. She clocked 1:57.63 to outpace a star studded field at the final held in Zurich, Switzerland.
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