Odira shines as Omanyala is stunned in Kip Keino Classic
Athletics
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| May 31, 2025
African 800m silver medallist Lilian Odira produced a scintillating show in the sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi, Saturday.
Odira clocked a personal best of 1:58.31 in the two-lap race to punch her ticket to the Tokyo 2025 World Championship set for Japan in September.
Running her first outdoor 800m race of the season, Odira delivered a perfectly paced tactical performance in front of the expectant crowd.
She held off strong opposition from Botswana’s Nowe Oratile, who also set a personal best of 1:58.47 to finish second.
Kenya’s Sarah Moraa, who is also the African champion, completed the podium in third place with another personal best of 1:58.96, making it a high-quality race with all top three finishers dipping under two minutes.
Last year’s winner and reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa did not take part in the contest.
“I have really worked hard from the cross-country build-up. I was coming here to gauge my body,” Odira said.
“Clocking a new personal best in my first 800m outdoor competition this year is very huge — and qualifying for Tokyo is so much unbelievable.”
Second-placed Oratile expressed mixed feelings about the outcome, saying: "I expected to win, but I’m happy to have finished the race healthy.
“I have to work on my start since that’s what hasn't worked for me today. I’m looking forward to improving in my next competition, which will be next month.”
At the same time, the much-anticipated race of the day, the men's 100m, went contrary to the fans expectations, as Australia's Kennedy Lachlan stunned race favourites African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and South African wonder boy Bayanda 'Wobble Wobble' Walaza.
Lachlan iced his debut on Kenyan soil with a personal best of 9.98 seconds to win the nervy encounter.
Wazala, who was also making his debut in the Kip Keino Classic, settled for second place in 10.03 as Omanyala finished third in 10.07.
"We have been correcting our mistakes every day, we appreciate the third-place finish and are now looking forward to the next race. Thanks guys for coming out in large numbers to electrify the stadium," Omanyala underlined.
Walaza stated: "I felt good. It was a good race, it felt like a real championship. I love the atmosphere and how lovely Kenyan fans are. I will definitely be coming back for the next one."
Kenyan-born American Jonah Koech extended his red-hot form into the 2025 season, storming to victory in the men’s 800m with a sizzling showdown.
Koech produced a commanding kick down the home straight to clock 1:43.32, comfortably ahead of Nicholas Kebenei (1:43.75) and Alex Ngeno (1:45.17).
In javelin, Brazilian prodigy Mauricio Da Silva hurled 86.34m to become the new men's javelin champion.
The second-round throw propelled the 25-year-old to set a new personal best from the Continental Tour Gold event.
The Brazilian was followed by the 2016 Rio Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany, who lobbed 80.79m to set a new season best, finishing in second place saw the German retain his last season's silver.
Completing the podium was Leandro Amos of Portugal, who flung 80.68m.
Kenya's Julius Yego, who had hoped to upgrade his 2022 silver medal, finished with a season best of 78.74m.
Africa 100m silver medallist Maia McCoy of Liberia was crowned the women’s 100m champion after clocking 11.21 seconds.
McCoy edged past her compatriot Destiny Smith Barnett at the finish line to snatch victory dramatically. Barnett, who had led for most of the race, settled for second in a season’s best of 11.29 seconds. Egyptian Hemida Bassant placed third, also in a season’s best of 11.49 seconds.
Olympic men’s hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg proved peerless as he powered to victory in the event.
The Canadian swung a world lead of 82.73 metres to take top honour in what was his second ever appearance at the competition.