Dancing queen Mary Moraa retains her 800m title at Kip Keino Classic, Tebogo and Lindsey tie

Mary Moraa celebrates winning the 800m race during the Absa Kip Keino Classic -World Continental Tour Gold Nairobi 2024 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on April 20, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

World champion Mary Moraa clocked 1:57.96 to successfully defend her women's 800m title at the Absa Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

The category was an all Kenyan affair as Nelly Chepchirchir (1:58.26) and Vivian Chebet (1:58.93) finished in that order to bag second and third place.

At the same time, Chepchirchir, Chebet and fourth placed Nelly Jepkosgei qualified for the Paris Olympics.

This was the third victory for Moraa, who was paced by her sister Sarah, in the Kip Keino Classic after emerging champion in 2021 and 2023.

"The atmosphere was great and I want to thank the fans for turning up in large numbers. It was a good race and a good preparation for Paris Olympics. Being the first 800m race this season, I feel I'm in a perfect shape to further lower my time to 1:55," stated Moraa.

Lesle Tebogo reacts after the 200m race during the Absa Kip Keino Classic -World Continental Tour Gold Nairobi 2024 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on April 20, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Meanwhile, World 100m silver medalist Letsile Tebogo and American Courtney Lindsey produced a thrilling race for the books when they tied for first place in the men’s 200m at the Absa Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

It was a photo finish that had the capacity crowd at the 30,000-seater stadium on its feet, both sprinters clocking a world lead and meet record of 19.71.

For Courtney, it was triple delight as the time guaranteed him a personal best in the men’s 200m.

Tebogo, who won his first career medal on Kenyan soil at the 2021 World Under 20 Championships, said he was happy to have entertained the fans as they had expected him to.

“I have had fun competing today, I was absolutely under no pressure. I believe the fans have gotten the show they came for,” the World 200m bronze medallist said.