Lilian Odira came through in the closing stages of the women’s 800m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 to win gold in 1:54.62, breaking the oldest championship record.
Defending champion Mary Moraa led for the first lap with Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson tucked right behind. The two global champions started to kick with 300 metres to go, but so too did Odira, who was further back in the pack.
Moraa started to fade at the top of the home straight. Hodgkinson battled for the final 100 metres, but Odira came striding around the outside and crossed the line in first place. Georgia Hunter Bell caught her British teammate just before the line, taking silver in 1:54.90 to Hodgkinson’s 1:54.91.
More to follow…