By Dennis Mabuka
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala put up a spending display to win the 100m race at the Kip Keino Classic race on Saturday.
Cheered on by President William Ruto, who had just arrived at Kasarani Stadium to grace the third edition of the event, the 27-old Omanyala, who is the African 100m champion and record holder, raced to victory in a time of 9.84 seconds.
Omanyala defeated Kenneth Bednarek and Marvin Bracy-Williams – both from America – to second and third places in 9.98 seconds and 10.03 respectively.
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In the women’s 800m race, Kenya’s Mary Moraa produced a terrific performance to win the tight contest.
Moraa, who is the Commonwealth Games 800m champion, stole the limelight after she recorded the season’s best time of one minute and 58.83 seconds to win the tight race.
Desta Netsanet from Ethiopia came second place in 2:00.14, Kenya’s Vivian Chebet finished third in 2:00.54 while South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso, who was the defending champion, finished fifth in 2:01.19.
“I wanted to win this race and I am very happy that I have managed to set a new season’s best on home soil,” said Moraa, who won the 2022 Diamond League 800m race.
“The fans were good today [Saturday], they supported me from start to finish and I want to thank them.
My training ahead of the Classic race was superb and I am happy it has produced the result I wanted.
My focus now is to do well at the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.”
Belgium’s Timothy Herman cruised to victory in the men’s javelin in a meet record.
He managed 87.35 metres to finish ahead of two-time reigning world champion Anderson Peters, who managed 85.72m while defending champion Ihab Abdelrahman El Sayed from Egypt recorded 81.04m to finish third.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Julius Yego, whom a lot was expected from him, Julius Yego finished fifth with the season’s best third throw of 77.24m.
“It was not my day,” Yego told reporters.
“I had plans to do better than finishing fifth but I have to be contended with what I managed.”
Canada’s Aaron Brown won the 200m in 20.12 seconds, ahead of Kyree King (20.18) of the USA while Joseph Fahnbulleh (20.19) of Liberia finished third.
Elsewhere, Twanisha ‘TeeTee’ Terry sprinted her way to the women’s 100m victory in 10.86sec beating Zoe Hobbs (10.97s) to second with Rani Rosius (11.08s).