Hellen Onsando Obiri was born on 13th December 1989 and is part of the Kenyan disciplined forces under the Kenya Defence Forces.
Obiri is the fourth born in a family of six children, two boys, and four girls. She is from the Kisii community.
Obiri has won and lost many races both at the local, continental and international levels but she keeps practicing and showing up on the racing track to run again and again.
One such race that showed her determination was when she finished 5th in the 10,000m race during the IAAF Doha World Championships 2019 and contemplated pulling out of the 5,000m race only for her to participate and win Gold in the final.
In 2018, she had won gold in the 5000m at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Obiri won first place in the national championships 1500m in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; world indoor championships 3000m in 2012 and was part of the team that won the IAAF world relays 4*1500m and African athletics championships 1500m in 2014.
TV presenter Joe Ageyo in congratulating Obiri after winning in Gold in the 5000m race in Doha wrote, “Hellen Obiri is just phenomenal! That win was one of those moments when being Kenyan becomes that one-bit extra special. Viva!”
Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris also wrote on her twitter, “Kenyan women making history and breaking world records! Congratulations Hellen Obiri!”
Kisii Women Representative Janet Ongera in congratulating Obiri said, “Our daughter Hellen Obiri does it again! Congratulations on winning world athletics championships women 5000m final.”
