Kenya’s Mary Moraa dropped a powerful kick in the women’s 800 metres race to win the 2024 Diamond League title after fending off strong competition from Great Britain’s Georgia Bell.
Moraa produced a dazzling season best time of 1:56.56 to reclaim the title she lost to Athing Mu in 2023 as Bell was forced to settle for second position after crossing the finish line in 1:57.50 in the Brussels Diamond League marking the final meeting of the 2024 Diamond League season.
Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin crossed the line in third place after edging France’s Renelle Lamote in a photo finish.
“I am so happy to get the trophy back after I lost it last year. It was a hard competition, so I am proud of myself for getting the Diamond back,” Moraa said after the race.
Mary Moraa wins 2024 Diamond League title
Bell had posed some strong challenge to Moraa but the world 800m champion went into the lead of the race in the final bend and never looked back as she kicked to a dominant victory.
The result saw Moraa claim her second Diamond League title following her maiden crown that came back in 2022.
Moraa is expected to return home with a cash reward of $30,000 (approximately Ksh 3,864,000 based on the current exchange rate) and a Diamond League Trophy.
Furthermore, if she meets certain criteria, she will be awarded a wild card for next year’s World Athletics Championships.
Meanwhile, Bell will pocket $12,000 (approximately Ksh1, 548,000) while $7,000 (approximately Ksh 903,000) will go to Natoya.
The two-day Diamond League final is scheduled to end on Saturday where a couple of crunch races will be on offer.
Faith Kipyegon, Faith Cherotich and Beatrice Chebet are some of the star Kenyan runners that will compete tomorrow.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke