NAIROBI, Kenya, April 26, 2025 – African 800m silver medalist Lillian Odira is praying that everything goes well ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo in September this year.
Odira says the global competition is top of her to-do list for 2025 and is keen to avoid an injury in the build-up to the event.
“Training has been going on well so far. The ultimate goal is to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo and I hope to avoid any injuries that might make that impossible for me to achieve. I am praying to make the team for the competition,” the Paris Olympian said.
Odira returned to winning ways at the fifth leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field Weekend meeting at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday evening.
She clocked 4:21.5 to cut the tape, ahead of Fridah Bosibori who ran 4:43.2 to take second.
Odira was competing in her first competition since late last month when she finished a disappointing sixth in the women’s 800m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China – clocking 2:16.12.
Rebecca roars to victory
Meanwhile, in the women’s 10,000m, Rebecca Mwangi romped to victory after clocking 32:28.17 in first place.
Domtila Cheruto timed 33:10.08 to finish second as Miriam Kibet came third in 33:22.15.
Mwangi admitted competing in the women’s 1500m on Friday had done her good, going into Saturday’s competition.
“On Friday, I ran in the women’s 1500m to just improve on my speed and I am thankful for that. I thank God for winning today’s competition, which was very tough but I managed to come first,” the Nyahururu-based runner said.
Elsewhere, Shadrach Kimutai won the men’s 800m, clocking 1:46.66, ahead of the 2021 World Under 20 1500m champion Vincent Keter who ran 1:47.16 to finish second.
Doreen Waka reigned supreme in the women’s 100m, timing 11.92 to take top honour, ahead of Loice Morara (11.98) and Mary Sofia (12.06) in second and third respectively.
Paris Olympian Vivian Chebet won the women’s 800m after clocking 2:00.90 as Caren Chepchirchir (2:04.10) and Nancy Jepngetich (2:04.43) took second and third.
