Ugandan athlete Halimah Nakaayi won the women’s 800m race, making it the biggest surprise in the ongoing IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha.
Uganda never had a World Championships finalist in the women’s 800m. Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo were the first to represent the country in the race.
Pre-race favourite Ajee Wilson took command after the break, with Jamaican Natoya Goule closely in tow. About 250 metres into the race Nakaayi tucked in behind the pair and lodged herself comfortably.
Wilson kept the pace fast and forged on, passing the bell in 57.94, maintaining her lead down the back straight. But Nakaayi kept the pressure on, shadowing the American through the bend, seemingly waiting for the opportunity to pounce. Wilson began to labour at the top of the home straight, giving Nakaayi an opening. She took it with about 30 metres to go, chugged by and held on to reach the line in 1:58.04, a national record.
On the outside, Raevyn Rogers blew by the field to finish second in 1:58.18, while Ajee held on for third to secure a 1-2 finish for the US.
“I was feeling so good, I knew something special was going to happen tonight,” said Nakaayi, whose only previous big meet medal came at the All Africa Games in August, where she took bronze. “So I just kept pushing and pushing. I was feeling strong and in the end I got it.” Nakaayi is quaoted by the IAAF website.
Winnie Nanyondo, the second Ugandan, was fourth in 1:59.18. A few minutes later she joined her teammate for a celebratory dance in front of a swarming pool of photographers. She returns to action on Wednesday in the heats of the 1500m, her stronger event.
Other runners representing Uganda – Boniface Abel Sikowo, Albert Chemutai and Benjamin Kiplagat will compete in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase on Tuesday.
