Sarah Moraa speaks on her inspiration ahead of Kip Keino Classic
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 30.05.25. | 19:47
She faces, among others, Maloney, who returns to the track with a score to settle
Well, we don't know how it happened but it did! Whether Mary and Sarah Moraa are siblings or cousins, has been a question many have had.
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They sold it on socials and we all might just have bought it. Turns out, Mary is just Sarah's mentor, the two having schooled at athletics powerhouse Mogonga PAG in Kisii County.
"She was in Secondary while I was in Primary School and was a big part of my young career as we were all camping at her school. I have walked in her footsteps since and with a similar name and her acknowledging me as her 'sister' on social media, the deal was sealed and we just went with it.
She is a star runner and that has definitely rubbed off on me. Even as I get in to the senior level where we are likely to go up against each other, she remains a mentor. But I'm ready to face her," Sarah told Mozzart Sport on the sidelines of the final press briefing ahead of the one-day competition at Ulinzi Complex.
Now that the cat is out of the bag, the World U20 800m champion, says Mary's motivation continues to push her as she looks to keep last year's disappointment behind her for a great Kip Keino Classic show on Saturday, 31 May.
Last year, Sarah made her debut, one that she probably wishes she could get a repeat infront of a home fanbase that was cheering for her, but she couldn't finish. She, however, gets another chance to impress on Saturday, having gone through fire to become the athlete she is today.
After her Kip Keino Classic mishap, she again endured another disappointment falling short of Paris Olympics qualification. She needed to clock 1:59.30 but was 0.09 seconds shy of the qualifying time for the 800m during the Olympic trials.
In a bittersweet moment, she clocked 2:00.27 to win gold at the African Championships.
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She exerted dominance at the World U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, timing 2:00.36 to be crowned 800m junior world champion.
"Last year had some disappointments, especially missing out on Paris. However, that is part of the sport and I have had to learn from such and grow as an athlete. I am more mature now. I am well prepared for Saturday. I know I am running against a deep field and that is quite the challenge but I am very motivated," Sarah who is looking to step out of Mary's shadow added.
She acknowledges the presence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ middle-distance sensation, Shafiqua Maloney, who returns to the track with a score to settle.
After narrowly missing out on a medal in the women’s 800m at last year’s Olympics, edged out in a dramatic final sprint by the world champion Mary, Maloney is back, driven by unfinished business and the pursuit of redemption.
