Kip Keino Classic: Ferdinand Omanyala wins 100m final at Kasarani

Ferdinand Omanyala dash to finish line in 100m race during Kipkeino Classic-World Continental tour gold in Nairobi. May 7, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] 

Things don’t just happen. They are made to happen. And that clearly captures the huge excitement witnessed at the Kip Keino Classic meet inside Kasarani Stadium on Saturday. 

Africa 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala whet Kenyan fans appetite with a historic run watched by President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other Government officials.

He won the 100m race  in 9.85 seconds ahead of Fred Kerley of USA (9.92), Isaiah Young (10.13) of USA, Brunt Jese Hendricho (10.13) of South Africa and Matidi Emmanuel (10.14) of Liberia.

Omanyala's win received the biggest cheer at the stadium which could only be matched by what Jamaica's sprints queen Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce got when she won the women race.

The Jamaican could barely be interviewed as fans at the stadium just kept cheering her name. 

Omanyala said: “I am happy for the win. I had planned well and was really certain to carry the day. I now prepare for the World Championships.”

Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Abraham Kibiwott won the water and barriers race in 8:21.92 ahead of Samuel Dugina Bariso (8:27.40) of Ethiopia and Olympic bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen (8:30.28), Ismail Ibrahim (8:32.68) and reigning world champion Conseslus Kipruto (8:28.36).

Kibiwott’s victory warmed the hearts of Kenyan fans who watched desperately as Morocco’s Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali pulled a fast one on Kenyans last year at the same venue.

It did not last for long before former Africa champion Norah Jeruto, who has since changed her nationality to Kazakhstan, showed no respect for Kenyans as she won the women race in 9:40.95 ahead of homegirl Faith Cherotich (9:12.04) and Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai (9:20.07).

In men’s discretionary 10,000m race, Julius Kipkwony looked peerless as he towed around the rich field to chalk up victory.

Kipkwony finished second at the national trials a forthnight ago and arrived at the Kip Keino Classic with insatiable hunger for glory even as he prepares for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius next month.

Kipkwony, who trains at Torongo Training camp in Baringo County, won the race in 28:28.34 ahead of Wesley Kimutai (28:32.09) and Abraham Longosiwa (28:35.01).

Kipkwony said he was happy to have won the title and longs to gun for a spot in the team to World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“I'm so happy to have won the race. I had to run a calculative race. Winning today has inspired me to go and work on my endurance and speed because the Africa Championships will be competitive,” said Kipkwony.

In 400m men's 400m, Ryan William won the title in 45:51 ahead of Collins Omae (46:03) and Kelvin Tauta completing the podium in 46.07.

Reigning Africa junior 5,000m silver medalist Jacob Krop has laid down his 2022 running calendar on the road to the World Championships in Oregon, USA.

The Olympic Games 5,000m finalist beat top athletes like national champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, former world Under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo among others to win the 5,000m title.

He said he will be focusing on competing in Monaco Diamond league as his preparations for the 2022 World Championships.

“For me, I want to run at the World Championships and before that, I want to try my best to compete at the Monaco Diamond League to set the pace,” said Krop.

Krop won the title in 13:12.19 relegating Istanbul half marathon silver medalist Daniel Meteiko to second in 13:13.45 and Simiu 13:14.51 to third.

World Under-20 5,000m bronze medalist Levy Kibet was fourth after 13:15.57 while Zakayo was 5th in 13:20.51.

Krop, who missed the national championships last month for Africa championships, failed to retain his 5,000m title at the Adidas Adizero Road To Records, giving a wide berth to the Continental championships.

“My focus is on the World championships and I am thinking of avoiding the Commonwealth Games,” said the 2019 World Championships 5,000m finalist.

 

 

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