‘Athletics is painful’ – 800m world champion Mary Moraa
800m world champion Mary Moraa has admitted that athletics has not been easy for her, despite a number of accolades she has won.
Explaining how demanding the schedule is, especially the training programme, the short-distance runner said it is not easy at all.
“Athletics is painful; it is not easy.
"You have to put in a lot of effort to be successful; you have to endure and learn; and you have to focus on your target,” Moraa told World Athletics.
Moraa's achievements
However, Kisii Express, as she is popularly known, acknowledged how athletics has played a critical role in making her life even better.
“Athletics has uplifted me, from a nobody to now a somebody, from the poorest of all.
“If I stayed in the village in Kisii, western Kenya, I wouldn’t be known, but my talent has made me known. Yes, athletics has changed my story and my life greatly. It is hard to explain,” Moraa added.
In August, Moraa won Kenya one of the three gold medals at the Budapest World Athletics Championships. The other two were won by Faith Kipyegon, who reigned supreme in the 1500m and 5000m races.
Moraa beat a strong field and lifted the gold medal, which was her first at the World Championships, after clocking a personal best of 1:56.03.
“I could not even imagine, because the field (at the World Championships) had two very strong ladies, Keely Hodgkinson and Athing Mu, who won last year.
"But we also had a better time this season. I really enjoyed the win; I was so happy,” Alex Sang, Moraa's head coach, said. 
Moraa said she had to deal with much pressure while she competed in Budapest.
“I did not expect it; I had so much pressure. There was a lot of tension and questions on whether I could win the 800m because we did not start the season well, but our peak target was the World Championships.
"I had told my coach that whichever medal I will win – bronze, silver or gold – I will be thankful.
“In the call room, the cameras were all over my face. When I moved, the camera moved with me. I was tense. I asked myself, ‘Why can’t they just focus on Athing Mu? She is the reigning world and Olympic champion," she continued.
Moraa's season
Generally, the 23-year-old had a stellar season. She started her season at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in 400m, took part in the Kenya Police Championships, and also competed in the 400m at the World Championships National Trials.
She first appeared in the Diamond League in Monaco but ended up finishing sixth, setting a new national record of 50.38 during the national trials at Nyayo Stadium.
"Coach, we had too much pressure this season. I am thinking about how we started the season on a low with the indoor tour, but we are ending it with a gold medal. I am satisfied with the performance," Moraa concluded.
