Moraa elated by SOYA Most Promising Girl nomination

The IAAF World Under 18 400m silver medallist Mary ‘Kisii Express’ Moraa is over the moon following her nomination to the 2017 Safaricom Sports Personality for the Year Awards (SOYA) shortlist.

Moraa said she was overwhelmed by joy the moment she learnt she had been nominated for the SOYA Most Promising Girl award along four others and could hardly find sleep that night.

The teenager earned recognition for her memorable performance during the five-day global championship held in Nairobi in July where she brought a packed fully packed Kasarani Stadium to its feet.

During that final, ‘Kisii Express’ had seemingly lost hope of clinching a podium place before she was spurred on by the home crowd, racing from sixth place to win a rare sprints sliver medal for her country.

“When my aunt called me I thought that she was lying to me. I could hardly focus on my training following day. I would like to thank the panel of judges for appreciating my performance. When I woke up I went to buy local news paper to confirm the good news,” Moraa told Citizen Digital during the 2nd Athletics Kenya Weekend Meet in Nyanza South, Kisii County. 

The teenage sensation added another 400m title during the East Africa Secondary School Games that were held at St Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu, Uganda in August.

“It was very hot in Gulu, you could not find a tree to seek a shade. The competition was not that easy because there were other more experienced athletes. Nevertheless I endured the stiff competition and won in my heat and final on day two,” said Moraa the East Africa Secondary School Games champion.

Moraa revealed that she is slowly transitioning from 400m to 800m and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Olympic 5,000m silver medalist and World Champion Helen Obiri who switched from 1,5000m to 5,000m.

She is currently preparing for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia (April 5-15) and the IAAF World Under 20 Championships in Tampare, Finland starting July 10-15.

Other nominees in the list of Most Promising Personality of The Year Girl include:

1. Mary Moraa (Athletics)

2. Caren Chebet (Athletics)

3. Jackline Wambui (Athletics)

4. Angela Okutoyi (Lawn Tennis)

5. Vanessa Adhiambo (Cricket)