McCoy fires warning shot as stars land for Kip Keino Classic

Maia McCoy, after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport yesterday/TEDDY MULEI 

Defending women’s 100m champion Maia McCoy has arrived in Nairobi brimming with confidence as she targets a successful title defence at Friday’s Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo National Stadium.

McCoy was among a strong batch of international athletes who touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting. The 29-year-old American made her intentions clear immediately after arrival. The plan is to defend the 100m title,” said McCoy.

Last year, she stormed to victory in 11.21 seconds, beating Liberia’s Destiny Smith-Barnett (11.29) and Egypt’s Bassant Hemida (11.49). This time, however, the challenge appears tougher with Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas expected to line up in the sprint showdown.

Despite the heightened competition, McCoy insists her focus remains on execution rather than the names around her. “I will focus on me and my lane and do what I have to do, and hopefully defend my title here in Nairobi. “I am always hoping for a personal best, but track is always unpredictable.”

Also arriving was 2023 African 400m champion Chidi Okezie, who returns for his second appearance at the meet. The Nigerian finished second in last year’s men’s 400m in 44.98 behind South Africa’s Zakithi Nene, who clocked a world-leading 43.76.

This season, Okezie switches to the 200m as part of his preparations to sharpen speed. “Last year I ran 400m and got a season’s best, and I was happy with that. This year I am running the 200m, and I hope for a personal best. “I chose the 200m for training purposes, the plan is to build up speed,” he said.

Okezie is set to face stiff opposition led by Jamaica’s world 200m bronze medallist Bryan Levell, but remains unfazed. “Anytime I am running, I always focus on my own lane. Levell is a big name, but the only name I’m worried about is Chidi Okezie and what lane I’m in.

“I am looking for a fast time… fast enough to make the crowd say ‘wooooow’.” In the women’s 400m hurdles, American Bianca Stubler is targeting a sub-54-second performance after refining her preparations. “I am hoping to win and have another good time here. The target is to run 54 seconds. “My training has been good; we have worked on more stuff we missed last year,” she said.

Meanwhile, fellow American Cambrea Sturgis is aiming for strong times in both the 100m and 200m. “I want to run even faster and keep progressing. This will be my fourth meet, and I just want to keep progressing. “For the 100m I want to go sub-11 seconds and for the 200m sub-22 seconds.”