Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy clocked 9.98 seconds to win the men’s 100m in Nairobi.
Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy made headlines on Saturday after sprinting to a stunning 9.98-second finish at the Absa Kip Keino Classic, joining the sub-10-second club for the first time. The Ulinzi Sports Complex roared with excitement as Kennedy edged out South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza and Kenya’s own Ferdinand Omanyala in a tightly contested 100m race.
Walaza posted a strong 10.03 finish, while Omanyala, despite high expectations, came in third with 10.07 seconds. A false start had briefly paused the race, but once the runners launched from the blocks, Kennedy held his composure and powered through to a personal best.
“This is a dream debut for me,” Kennedy said after the race. “I’m happy to win here, especially after what happened in China. Omanyala beat me there, so I had to get him back. Racing against him and Walaza is always a big challenge.”
Omanyala Eyes Diamond League After Tough Loss
Omanyala, Africa’s record holder and a fan favourite in Kenya, didn’t get the explosive start he needed. Though he kept fighting through the race, he couldn’t catch up in time. Despite the third-place finish, he remained focused on the bigger picture.
“I know where to adjust. My start is solid, but I need to manage the second phase better,” Omanyala noted. “I’m now preparing for the Rome Diamond League.”
Walaza, who finished second, praised Omanyala’s impact on African sprinting.
“Running alongside Omanyala always pushes us to do better. He’s raised the bar,” he said.
Away from the track, Canada’s Camryn Rogers stood out in the field events. She won the women’s hammer throw with a top mark of 77.93m. Denmark’s Katrine Koch and the USA’s Janee Kassanavoid followed closely with throws of 74.21m and 74.17m, respectively.
This year’s Kip Keino Classic lived up to the hype, delivering world-class races and field events that hint at a thrilling athletics season ahead.
