Ferdinand Omanyala Wins Kip Keino Classic

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Ferdinand Omanyala came second at Kip Keino Classics at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, September 18, 2021
AthleticsKenya

Kenya's sprinting sensation, Ferdinand Omanyala, has won the Kip Keino Classic after clocking 9.85 seconds in the 100m race. 

Omanyala emerged victorious in the competitions held at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday, May 7.

The Kenyan beat seven other contestants including US's Fred Kerley and Isaiah Young in the race witnessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amb Amina Mohammed.

Ferdinand Omanyala competes in 100m heat during the second leg of Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay
Ferdinand Omanyala competes in 100m heat during the second leg of Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay
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Kerley, an Olympics silver medalist, came second clocking 9.92 seconds. 

Omanyala's 9.85 seconds is this year's fastest time in the world in the 100 meters race. 

Prior to the race commencing, all eight athletes were yellow carded for a false start. 

As Omanyala sprinted to the finish line, the whole stadium rose to applaud him, with Kenyans waving the flag while cheering the fastest man in Africa. 

Uhuru, Raila and Kipchoge Keino all embraced Omanyala and lauded him for making the country proud. 

In another race, World Under 20 800m champion, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, registered a win in his first senior race at the Kip Keino Classic.

Wanyonyi, 17, made his mark at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series.

The 19-year-old set a national and championship record of 1:43.76 to storm to victory at the World Under 20 Championship in Nairobi last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga (right) and Sports CS Amina Mohammed (left) celebrate Ferdinand Omanyala's victory at the Kip Keino Classics at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, May 7, 2022
President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga (right) and Sports CS Amina Mohammed (left) celebrate Ferdinand Omanyala's victory at the Kip Keino Classics at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, May 7, 2022
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