Mary Moraa Biography: Age, Background Height, Career, Awards

Mary Moraa is one of the best African athletes. She hails from Kenya, which is known for producing some of the best runners and sprinters in the world. Mary Moraa was an unknown figure until she made her international debut at the World U-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mary participates in the 400 and 800 metres runs and amazingly, she won the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2023. Aside from that, she has won several laurels and awards to her name. Discover more about Mary Moraa in this article.

Profile Summary

Mary Moraa Biography

Mary Moraa is a Kenyan middle-distance track athlete. She was born on 15th June 2000 in Obwari, Kisii, Kenya, and raised by her grandmother after the death of her parents. Sadly, Mary lost her parents very early in life. She was only two years old when her parents died and her grandmother took over the responsibility of nurturing her.

Mary went to a local primary school in Kenya and then proceeded to Mogonga Mixed Secondary School, where she picked an interest in sports. There, she participated in sports activities, especially middle-distance running.

While Mary had financial struggles in school, her teachers supported her dreams and talents. In her fourth year in secondary school, she received financial support in the form of a full-year scholarship to continue her education.

Mary was determined to succeed both in school and in sports. She participated in various sports activities while in school and after graduation. In 2023, she won the 800 meter World Championships held in Budapest, Hungary.

Career

Mary’s athletic career began in her third year in secondary school. She participated in the 2017 IAAF U-18 Championships held in Kasarani, Nairobi, where she won the silver medal, thus making her the first Kenyan lady to achieve this feat in the 400-meter race.

Mary Moraa was coached by experienced coaches such as former 1500-metre track star Alex Sang and Commonwealth Champion Janet Jepkosgei Buseinei. Her coaches helped her develop her talent and make progress as an athlete.

While Team Kenya made it to the Tokyo Olympics in 2022, Moraa nearly missed out after finishing third in the qualifying semi-finals. Below is a summary of the major competitions she participated in:

Mary Moraa’s Awards and Honours

Here is a quick summary of Mary Moraa’s career wins and achievements:

• 1x World champion.
• 1x Diamond League Final winner.
• 1x World Championships Bronze medallist.
• 1x Commonwealth Games winner.
• 1 x Diamond Trophy winner.
• 1 x African U20 champion.
• 1 x In Top 8 at Commonwealth Games.
• 1 x In Top 8 at World U20 Championships.
• 2 x National Champion.
• 1 x World U18 Championships Silver medallist.
• 1 x In Top 8 at All-African Games.
• 6 x Diamond League Meeting winner.

Is Mary Moraa Married?

Mary Moraa is yet to be married but is currently engaged to Richard Lagat. Her soon-to-be husband proposed to her on September 19, 2023, in Kenya after her return from Oregon, United States.

Richard Lagat is a former volleyball player who now works as a coach. Lagat met Moraa for the first time in 2021 during the National Kenyan Police passing-out parade in Embakasi, Nairobi.

Personal Life

Mary Moraa is a shy and reserved person but is an adventurous person who enjoys traveling. Following her success in the 2023 800-metre race in Hungary, Moraa is looking for more wins and successes in sports. Her journey has been a painful one marked by hard work, consistency, and dedication.