World 800m champion Lilian Odira has confirmed she will miss the World Ultimate Championship in Budapest, ending her season prematurely due to illness.
Announcing on her social media pages, Odira expressed heartbroken not to be in the run in Budapest, missing the most anticipated track.
“The women’s 800m is so amazing right now, and I am just really heartbroken not to be on the start list. It so disappointing for me to say I shall not be at the World Ultimate Championships in Budapest and the Athlos in London,” Odira said.
Odira said she became ill a few weeks ago and she hasn’t recovered fully but is looking ahead with determination, promising a powerful comeback in the 2027 race in Beijing, China.
Despite the abrupt end to title in Budapest, she showed brilliant results in 2026 season. In April 24, she finished second at the Kip Keino Classic with a time of 1:59.15. In May, she won the Kenya Prisons Service Championships in the 1,500m, clocking 4:29.1, the 800m in 2:07.8 and the 400m in 53.2.
On May 31, she finished third place at 1:57.27 at the Rabat Diamond League. On June 20, she defended her title, securing her third successive Kenyan 800m crown in 2:00.44.
Odira did not give up securing her title as on July 4 at the Prefontaine Classic, she claimed victory, clocking at 1:56.19, defeating Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson. On July 31, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow she won silver in 2:00.58, with her final race of the 2026 season being on August 21 at the Lausanne Diamond League, where she finished seventh in 1:59. 25.