Athlete Ferdinand Omanyala after the race/SCREENGRABAfrica’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has delivered a commanding performance to win the men’s 100 metres at the Kip Keino Classic, clocking an impressive 9.96 seconds at Nyayo National Stadium.
Backed by a roaring home crowd in Nairobi, Omanyala produced a gun-to-tape run to secure victory and register a season-best time, underlining his strong return to form.
The 30-year-old surged clear of the field in the final metres, leaving his rivals trailing.
South Africa’s Rivaldo Roberts finished second in 10.12 seconds, while Canada’s Aaron Brown settled for third place in 10.15 seconds.
The result marked a statement performance from Omanyala, who had openly declared his intention to dip below the 10-second mark ahead of the race.
True to his word, the African record holder rose to the occasion on home soil, thrilling fans who packed the stadium.
Speaking before the race, Omanyala had signalled his ambitions, saying: “Now that I have built up momentum, I have to stand on business at the Kip Keino. At the back of my mind, I am looking at the world lead.”
The current world-leading time stands at 9.89 seconds, set earlier this year, and Omanyala made it clear he is firmly in pursuit.
His latest run marked his second consecutive sub-10 performance this season, following a 9.98 finish at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix—his first time under the mark in nearly two years.
Reflecting on his resurgence, the sprinter acknowledged the challenges he faced last season due to injury.
“When we started last season, I had an injury, and I was struggling in training, running some very weird times,” he said.
“For those who saw me running in Ethiopia, they could see I have my smile back, so now it’s just about building on that.”
Despite a competitive field, Omanyala remained focused on his own race.
“I am respecting all the athletes who have come out, but the race is not about them. It’s about running and chasing the finish line. Whoever comes, we will go head-on,” he added.
Friday’s victory also carried emotional significance, with Omanyala reflecting on his journey at the Kip Keino Classic, where he first made history.
“It’s six years since I got into the professional setting, and it’s here at Kip Keino that I got the African record,” he said.
“I have been using it as a growth tool for me, and I am looking forward to running as many Kip Keinos as I can.”
Omanyala famously set the African record of 9.77 seconds at the 2021 edition of the event, cementing his place among the continent’s sprinting greats.
With his latest performance, Omanyala has once again signaled his intent on the global stage.
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