Omanyala and six other stars to watch at today's Kip Keino Classic meet

Ferdinand Omanyala in past action. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

The fourth edition of Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour is finally here with us.

Despite a late withdrawal of Jamaica's three-time Olympic 100m champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, the other global beaters are ready to light up the fast-growing event at Kasarani Stadium today.

Standard Sports highlights for you the profiles of some of the stars to watch out for during the epic battle at Kenya's sports cathedral.

1. Name: Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa

Age: 27

Country: Kenya

Discipline(s): 60m, 100m, 200m

Achievements: Africa's 100m record holder (9.77 seconds), Atlanta City Games 150m dash African record-holder (14.89 seconds), African and Commonwealth champion.

"We are going for under 9.77, my prayer is that the weather will be fine and the competition will be good, that's the target.

"I urge Kenyans to come to the stadium in their numbers, their cheers and presence will be key, they will motivate me, they will push me to run much faster and achieve my goal.

"I don't look at my opponents when I'm competing, my biggest focus is always on myself."

Sha'Carri Richardson.[FILE]

2. Name: Sha'Carri Richardson

Age: 23

Country: USA

Discipline(s): 100m, 200m

Achievements: Currently the sixth fastest woman in the world, set a world lead time in 100m at the Doha Diamond League last week (10.76 seconds), won gold in the 2017 Pan American U20 Championships.

"She just can't talk for now, she is tired," said her coach Dennis Mitchell, a former 4x 100m Olympic and world champion when Sha'Carri refused to talk to the media upon landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Monday morning.

3. Name: Faith Chepng'etich Kipyegon

Age: 29

Country: Kenya

Discipline(s): 1500m

Achievements: Double Olympic champion, double world champion, triple Diamond League trophy winner, double World Cross Country Junior champion, Commonwealth Games champion.

"Winning in Qatar on Friday night proved to me that this will be a very fruitful season.

"I'm very much ready to go for the honors at the Kip Keino Classic, but again this will depend on the final decision by my agent.

"I'm wishing all the athletes preparing for the Kip Keino Classic a success. Hopefully, I will be able to join them on track on Saturday."

American 200m sprinter Kenneth Bednarek at JKIA upon arrival in the country ahead of of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event to held at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

4. Name: Kenneth Bednarek

Age: 24

Country: USA

Discipline(s): 100m, 200m, 400m

Achievements: Olympics silver medallist (200m),World silver medallist (200m)

"It has been second place for me all the time, I'm tired of being Mr Silver. This year, I'm coming with a different mentality to beat the silver jinx.

"I'm glad to be back in Kenya, I was here last year, I had an injury, I was kind of rusty, but this year I'm coming in healthy. I'm excited to see what I can do in 100m.

"Victory in Kenya will mean a lot to me, I know it will be a very tough competition, beating Omanyala (Ferdinand) at home will be such a tall order."

Polish Olympic champions Anita Wlodarczyk upon arrival at JKIA in the Country on May 10, 2023 ahead of Saturday's May 13, 2023 Kip Keino Classic where she is the favourite in the women's 100m. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

5. Name: Anita Wlodarczyk

Age: 37

Country: Poland

Discipline(s): Hammer throw

Achievements: Triple Olympic champion, four times world champion, four times European champion, two times European Team champion, the only woman in history to defend Olympic title thrice.

"My last competition was in June, I started training in December and Nairobi will be my first competition for the year.

"I'm happy to be back to Kenya, last year was good as I won the title; I loved the food and the hotels too."

Anderson Peters MBE (Left) a Grenadian javelin thrower and the current world champion accompanied by Canadian Sprinter Jerome Blake at JKIA upon arrival in the country on May 07, 2023 ahead of of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event to held at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

6. Name: Anderson Peters

Age: 25

Country: Grenada

Discipline(s): Javelin throw

Achievements: Double world champion, Pan American Games champion.

"I look forward to competing in front of the Nairobi crowd, I know the fans here appreciate javelin.

"I believe by taking part in the Kip Keino Classic event together, both of us (with Julius Yego) are going to inspire the next generation in javelin.

"I have seen and noted that the Kenyan flag has some symbols like the two spears, I would really love to know what it all means."

Polish 800m runner Angelika Cichocka at JKIA upon arrival in the country from Doha on May 06, 2023 ahead of of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event to held at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

7. Name: Angelika Cichoka

Age: 35

Country: Poland

Discipline(s): 1500m

Achievements: European champion, European Indoor silver medalist, World Relay silver medallist.

"I have never run in a high altitude zone like Nairobi, I know it will be quite a challenge to tackle the Kip Keino Classic but nonetheless it will be a good experience for me. Actually, I'm quite excited about the race

"I think training in Kaptagat has prepared me well to face Kipyegon (Faith). I ran with her in Doha and she is an amazing person, I look forward to challenging her on Saturday in Kasarani.

"The country (Kenya) has good weather, the altitude for athletics build up is amazing. It has everything that one needs to be a champion. This is the nation that has shaped my athletics career."