The 27-year-old has shifted focus to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 and the inaugural World Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September.

Odira hopes to go faster than her 1:54.62 lifetime best

TEDDY MULEI

May 10, 2026 2 min read

World 800m champion Lilian Odira says she is determined to run even faster this season as she targets another personal best and medals on the global stage.

Odira produced one of the standout performances of 2025 when she clocked 1:54.62 to win gold at the World Championships in Tokyo, breaking the long-standing championship record of 1:54.68 set by Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983.

Her dominant run carried her clear of Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell and Keely Hodgkinson as she claimed her maiden global crown.

Kenyan distance stars rule road races across continents Athletics

Pamzo dedicates coach of the month honour to late wife as APS revival gathers pace Football

“This year I am looking for another personal best,” Odira said.

The 27-year-old has shifted focus to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 and the inaugural World Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September.

“I have never been to the Commonwealth Games, this will be my debut if I can make the team,” she said. “Hopefully I can do my best and God willing come back home with a medal.”

Odira has already secured qualification for the World Ultimate Championships following her triumph in Tokyo.

She opened her 2026 campaign at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, finishing second in 1:59.15 behind Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew, who won in 1:58.79.

“So far my body is responding well after opening my season with the Kip Keino Classic,” Odira said.

Over the weekend, the Kenyan star underlined her endurance at the Kenya Prisons Track and Field Championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex by winning the 1,500m, 800m and 400m titles.

She clocked 4:29.1 in the 1,500m before returning to win the 800m in 2:07.8 and the 400m in 53.2.

“We are still working on the endurance part, that is why I ran the 1,500m, 400m and 800m,” she said. “We are balancing them well and I think so far I’m faring well with the season.”

Odira also praised the Kenya Prisons Service for supporting her career and expressed confidence ahead of the national championships set for June 19-21.

“I also hope to do my best in the nationals,” she said.