- Lilian Odira wins 800m race gold at the World Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
- She recorded a time of 1:54.62, edging out British duo Georgia Hunter-Bell (silver, 1:54.90) and Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson (bronze).
Kenya’s Lilian Odira staged an exceptional finish to win her first-ever World Championship gold, setting a new record in the 800m and claiming victory for Kenya in Tokyo on Sunday, September 21 at the National Stadium.
She clocked 1:54.62, outpacing two British competitors: Georgia Hunter-Bell, who took silver with 1:54.90, while Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson claimed bronze, narrowly edging out Kenyan Sarah Moraa, who finished fourth in 1:55.74.
“This is my first World Championships, and I am incredibly grateful to be leaving as world champion,” Odira said.
It has been a long time coming. The 800m is always very tactical. The first lap today was extremely fast. I knew I had to push on the second one. It was so quick.
I was paying attention to the other runners, just following the pace of the race. I managed to produce the most powerful finish and got lucky to be going home with a gold medal.”
Kenya’s Lilian Odira wins 800m race gold in Tokyo 2025
The former World Championship holder, Mary Moraa of Kenya, struggled despite starting strong and leading for much of the race. She was overtaken in the final 200 meters and eventually finished in seventh place.
She led for the first 300 meters, with Hodgkinson applying pressure from behind. Around the 600-meter mark, Hodgkinson surged ahead, and her compatriot Hunter-Bell also managed to push Moraa into fourth.
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Odira, the African silver medalist, delivered a stunning sprint in the final 100 meters, overtaking both British runners to secure her first global title- on a day when Moraa struggled to find her usual form.
“I feel really happy. The race unfolded pretty much as I expected,” said Hunter-Bell. “I knew it would start very hard, and it did. My plan was to just hang in there.”
“My coaches said, ‘Do not get boxed in on the rails,’ and with about 150 meters to go, I found myself stuck there. I had to fight my way out, but overall, I felt really strong.”