The women's 800 metres at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on March 19 and 20, 2016.

In the final, Ajee' Wilson took the lead at the break, with Margaret Nyairera Wambui following.

Inexperienced at indoor strategy, Niyonsaba was in a frustrating position, blocked by the larger athletes ahead of her, boxed in, exchanging elbows with Habitam Alemu and Laura Roesler at her heels.

Niyonsaba had had enough of this frustration, dropping behind Alemu then bouncing out to lane 2 running around the field into the lead, her third 200 so fast she opened up a 3-metre gap.

Coming off the final turn, Wilson threw her best move against Wambui to outsprint her for silver.