Former world 800m champion Mary Moraa says she is plotting a serious charge for the 2027 season, with the Beijing World Championships firmly in her sights as she steadily works her way back to full fitness following an injury that derailed her 2026 campaign.
Moraa has spent the better part of 2026 away from competition, recovering and rebuilding after an injury-interrupted season kept her off the track. Her last major championship appearance came at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she battled to seventh place in 1:57.10 as compatriot Lilian Odira stormed to the world title in 1:54.62.
The explosive two-lap specialist says she is relishing the prospect of pinning on a bib again as she begins the road back towards another global medal assault.
“I’m very happy to be back. I have missed competing, I have missed the atmosphere and, most importantly, I have missed representing Kenya,” Moraa said.
“The journey back has not been easy, but it has made me appreciate the sport even more. I have learnt to be patient, to trust the process and to keep working even when nobody is watching,” she added.
The middle-distance star has gradually intensified her training in recent months, rebuilding her strength, endurance and confidence before launching a full-scale campaign towards Beijing.
“My focus now is to get back to competition, take things step by step and build towards the World Championships. I want to give myself the best preparation possible and be ready when the big moment comes,” she said.
For Moraa, the comeback extends beyond medals and podium finishes; it is also about rediscovering the joy that first drew her to the sport.
“For me, sport is not only about winning. It is about showing up, pushing yourself and getting back up when things don’t go your way. Being injured and away from competition has taught me a lot. I believe I can come back stronger, both physically and mentally,” she said.
Launch of Sports Direct in Nairobi
Moraa was speaking during the official launch of Sports Direct, one of the world’s leading sporting goods retailers, at Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi, the first ever in Africa. She believes the arrival of the global retailer will inspire everyone from aspiring athletes taking their first steps to elite competitors preparing for the world stage.
“Kenya is a nation that loves sport. We run, we play football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, we cycle, we go to the gym, and of course, athletics is very close to our hearts,” Moraa said.
“Every great athlete starts somewhere. Sometimes it starts with something very simple, a pair of running shoes, a football, a jersey, a local field… and a dream.”
The new Sports Direct outlet brings together leading international brands including Nike, adidas, PUMA, Under Armour, New Balance, ASICS and Everlast, giving Kenyan consumers greater access to world-class sportswear and equipment. For Moraa, it is also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of champions.
“Who knows? Maybe one of the young people who walks in here will find the equipment they need, start training and one day become Kenya’s next world champion. You never know where the next great athlete is going to come from,” she said.
Why Sports Direct opened its store in Nairobi
Sports Direct Africa lead Fabio Iavarone said the company is excited to plant its roots in Nairobi, describing Kenya as the ideal launch pad for the brand’s African expansion.
“We are really excited to be in Nairobi. This is a new chapter for us,” Iavarone said, adding that Africa’s youthful and rapidly growing population presents enormous potential for the global retailer.
“Africa is the youngest and fastest-growing population in the world, and we see consumers wanting access to top brands. We sat down, looked at all the countries and decided that Kenya is the place. It is the home of the world’s greatest athletes, who break records all the time.”
Iavarone added that Sports Direct is keen to work closely with local running clubs as part of its long-term commitment to growing sport in Kenya.
“We are not opening just a store; we want to partner with local running clubs. The sportswear in the store covers a wide variety of disciplines, from running and football to cricket and tennis, among many others. We welcome Kenyans to come and shop across the different brands,” he said.
He also revealed ambitious expansion plans across the continent, with a second Nairobi outlet set to open at Galleria Mall before the end of October.
He said: “This is just the beginning. We have massive ambitions to open more stores across Africa. We have plans for stores in Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco; all of those countries are within our scope.”
