After her unforgettable heroics that saw Kenyan women stage a historic sweep in middle and distance races at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year, Lilian Odira is now regarded as a potential candidate for the 800-metre world record.
The year 2025 will forever be etched in Odira’s memory as the season of firsts with her accomplishment in Tokyo being only a tip of the iceberg in her middle distance running career.
The list: maiden appearance at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, victory at the Kip Keino Classic, first Diamond League appearance and jaw-dropping debut at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Odira upstaged Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain and defending champion Mary Moraa to claim the world title in a Championship Record and personal best of 1:54:62.
"I simply want to run fast and perhaps improve on my personal best this year. I pray to God for continued good health and injury-free season."
The Championship Record had stood for 42 years. The time, which is the seventh fastest in history, erased Jarmila Kratochvilo’s Championship Record of 1:54.68 set at the inaugural Helsinki World Athletics Championships in 1983.
Odira is now the second fastest woman in Kenya after the 2008 Beijing Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo (1:54.01).
Though Odira started her season late, she targets fast times this year as well as Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Ultimate Championships glory.
“I simply want to run fast and perhaps improve on my personal best this year. I pray to God for continued good health and injury-free season,” said Odira, who will be competing for the first time at the Commonwealth Games. “I will be happy to medal at the Commonwealth Games.”
The weight will now be on Odira’s shoulder to deliver in Glasgow since compatriot and defending champion Mary Moraa is not available.
— Ayumba Ayodi