When it comes to the Kip Keino Classic, the men’s 100m has always been a highlight and the perfect icing on the cake in a menu of thrilling races.
This year’s edition promises to be no different with the umpteenth involvement of Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala.
For the past three editions, Omanyala has stirred the home crowd on its feet courtesy of his electrifying runs past the finish, ahead of other elite competitors.
The African 100m champion boasts an impressive record at the World Continental Tour Gold event, beginning in 2021 when he made history at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani with a continental record of 9.77 on his way to a second-place finish.
At last year’s edition at the same venue, Omanyala clocked 9.84 to win for the second successive time, ahead of United States’ Kenneth Bednarek who came second in 9.98.
Although Kasarani has gained fame for its fast times, this year’s edition returns to the Nyayo National Stadium.
Regardless, many would be forgiven for expecting fireworks given that Bednarek will be lining up against Omanyala at the start blocks once again.
The Olympics 200m silver medalist will be looking to get one over his Kenyan peer, especially on Omanyala’s home turf.
At his debut at the competition in 2022, the American clocked 10.15 in a disappointing sixth-place finish.
Bednarek has been in blazing form thus far this year, finishing first in the men’s 200m at the Miramar Invitation in Florida, United States, as well as first and third in the men’s 400m at the UCF Knights Invite and Pepsi Florida Relays, respectively.
Another athlete to watch out for in the race is Cote d’Ivoire’s Arthur Cisse who will be making his debut at the Kip Keino Classic.
Cisse is a well-travelled sprinter who has featured at top international competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, All Africa Games, African Championships and Islamic Solidarity Games.
As far as winning medals are concerned, his trophy cabinet boasts the 4x100m relay gold (2015 All Africa Games); 100m silver (2018 African Championships); and 4x100m relay silver (2018 and 2016 African Championships).
With this record in tow, it would not be foolhardy to bet on him muddying the waters as far as the script for this race is concerned.
The other Kenyan in the race, Mark Otieno, will also be competing at the Kip Keino Classic for the first time.
The former national record holder for the men’s 100m has bounced back impressively from a two-year doping ban and continues to surge towards what saw him clock a personal best of 10.05 in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Just like Omanyala, he will be fueled by a partisan home crowd that will be keen to see one of them shine on home soil.
Such vociferous support may just be the extra push Otieno needs to make the podium place.
