Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala set Moi Stadium, Kasarani alight at the Kip Keino Classic Tour when he timed 9.77 in second place to set a new African record and the world's second-fastest time this year.
American Trayvon Bromell stormed to first place in a world-leading time of 9.76 whereas his countryman, former Olympic champion, Justin Gatlin finished third in 10.03.
"It's a wonderful feeling to set this new African record. When I got onto the starting blocks, I had a feeling I could time 9.77 and I am happy that it came. I hope to set new records in every competition I will be participating in from now on," Omanyala said.
South Africa's Akane Simbine was the previous holder of the African 100m record — a time of 9.84 set at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial Meet in Hungary in July this year.
Omanyala's time also earned him a new national 100m record for the fourth time this year, breaking his previous time of 9.86 set at the International Josko Meeting in Andorf, Austria in August.
In the men's 3000m steeplechase, Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali continued his newfound dominance over Kenyans when he stormed to first place in 8:21.20, ahead of Kenyan duo of Commonwealth champion Abraham Kibiwott and World Under 20 champion Amos Serem in second and third respectively.
Speaking through his coach, Karim Tclemani, Bakkali downplayed the significance of his win in the cradle of steeplechase runners.
“As we said before, our aim was just to come here and enjoy ourselves. To us, this was just a Classic Meet and not much of a competition that had any significance,” the Moroccan said.
In the women’s 1,500m, it was business as usual for double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as she stormed to victory in 4:02.40, ahead of the Ethiopian duo of Hirut Meshesha (4:03.01) and Freyweyni Hailu (4:04.39) in second and third respectively.
“It is really great to win this race as that was my target. It felt wonderful competing on home soil after a long time. Even without the fans, the atmosphere was great. The few people in the stadium cheered us on,” Kipyegon said.
The second edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who honoured the winners.
Other big winners in the one-day event included Kenya’s Noah Kibet (men’s 800m), Vincent Keter (men’s 1500m), Mary Moraa (women’s 800m) and Denmark’s Katrine Jacobsen (women’s hammer throw).
