By Judith Gicobi
Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya’s sprinting sensation, clinched the Kip Keino Classic by winning the 100m race in 9.85 seconds.
On Saturday, May 7, Omanyala triumphed in the competitions hosted at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
In a race watched by President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Amb Amina Mohammed, the Kenyan defeated seven other competitors, including Americans Fred Kerley and Isaiah Young.
Kerley, an Olympic silver medallist, finished in second place in 9.92 seconds.
Omanyala’s 9.85 second run in the 100 meters is the fastest in the world this year.
All eight athletes were yellow carded for a false start before the race began.
The entire crowd stood to congratulate Omanyala as he crossed the finish line, with Kenyans waving the flag and applauding the fastest man in Africa.
Uhuru, Raila, and Kipchoge Keino hugged Omanyala and praised him for bringing honor to the country.
The spotlight now switches to the Doha Diamond League, which begins on May 13.
