Ready for that Moraa double threat?

Sarah Moraa is the World U20 women's 800m champion. 

She clocked 2:00.36 ahead of Claudia Hollingsworth (2:00.87) and Sophia Gorriaran (2:01.04) to clinch her maiden global title.

Moraa, controlled the race from early on and held on strongly to win a title that caps off a tremendous season for her. She hopes to walkm in the footsteps of her cousin, world champion Mary Moraa, who herself was fifth at the 2018 World U20 Championships. 

Hollingsworth made a valiant attempt to pass Moraa in the final homestretch but the Kenyan was able to find another gear to surge to the finish line first. 

Hollingsworth, who came in with the fastest PB in the field (1:58.40) and was a semifinalist at the Paris Olympic Games, had to settle for silver as Gorriaran rounded out the podium, earning bronze. 

“I am happy to have won this gold on my debut on the world stage. Missing the Paris Olympics was a low moment for me but I learned my lesson and will work to qualify for Tokyo early," said an elated Moraa. 

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke won the women’s 3000m in 8:50.32. Though Ethiopia hadn’t won the women’s 3000m at the U20 Championships since 2016, the country was expected to take the crown in Lima as their entrants led the field on PBs and season’s bests by a significant margin. 

Rome DL Recap: Easy win for Faith Kipyegon as Omanyala finishes seventh

Marion Jepnegetich of Kenya, who had led the final for much of the race, was passed in the final 200 metres by Baweke. The move was confident and emphatic, guaranteeing Baweke the top spot on the podium. Jepnegetich held on for silver in 8:52.37. 

Marta Alemayo of Ethiopia took bronze in 8:53.64. 

"We had little time betwwen the semis and the final to make any adjustments but I am happy to have a medal," said Jepngetich.

However, it was a disappointing race for favourite Mercy Chepkemoi who finished ninth in 9:10.54.

World Champs U20: Ndangili battles injury to set new national record, personal best in race walk

In the men's 800m, Phanuel Kipkoesgei Koech and Kelvin Kimutai Koech finished in fifth and seventh respectively.

Kipkosgei clocked 1:47.46 while Koech managed 1:48.95 in a race won by Ethiopian Berhanu Ayansa (1:46.86), with silver going to Australian Peyton Craig (1:46.95) and Ko Ochiai of Japan won bronze in 1:47.03.