Kip Keino Classic on Saturday sees Commonwealth Games 5,000 metres champion Beatrice Chebet beat four opponents to lift the win, a good day in the office for Africa 100 metres record holder Ferdinand Omanyala who clinched a stunning victory in the men’s 100m, Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres silver medalist Daniel Simiu made his day by winning the men’s 10,000m. At the same time, Kirwa, the 2018 national champion had his best moment of 7.34m to win the men’s long jump with a new meet record. Belgium’s Timothy Herman entertained the fans as he squeezed his way to victory in men’s javelin with a meet record. Meanwhile, Moraa, the world 800m bronze medalist, stayed up to his spirit with a sub two minutes performance when she split the season’s best one minute and 58.83 seconds to win the 800m championship at the Absa Kip Keino Classic as all the showdown took place at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
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Fans and lovers of athletics from different regions, with varying colours, were buzzing into the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani for this year’s Absa Kip Keino Classic as we bring you the reactions and events that were showcased. Spectators, young and old, men and women from Kenya were at their best to cheer Kenyan best athletes as early as 8 am with traders allowed into the arena to sell their wares for free.
Beatrice Chebet shines at Kasarani
Commonwealth Games 5,000 metres champion Beatrice Chebet destroyed four opponents with 200m to go to lift the women’s 5,000m race at the Absa Kip Keino Classic at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
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“I had prepared well for the race and today’s race was about checking a few aspects. It went well and I look forward to my best ahead of the World Championships,” said Chebet, the African 5,000m champion. “It’s my dream to be able to upgrade my second position last year to something better at the world event,” explained Chebet, the world cross-country champion
Five athletes were in the race before Chebet, the world 5,000m silver medalist, was up to his heels with 200m to go to victory in 15 minutes and 15.85 seconds.
The 2019 World 5,000m silver medalist Margaret Chelimo settled second in 15:16.28 as Judith Kiyeng came third in 15:16.66.
“I would like to emulate Hellen Obiri who won both the world cross and world 5,000m title in one season in 2019,” said Chebet.
The World Athletics Championships will be held from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Chelimo said she is happy with the performance, being early in the season.
“I wanted to gauge my performance. I have good speed and hope to plan well for the world event,” said Chelimo, who is eying a place in the 10,000m at the Budapest world event.
However, in the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Lemi Teddese won in 13:26.58, beating Kenya’s Ishmael Lokitto in 13:27.34 as Uganda’s Peter Maru settled third in 13:28.14.
Unstoppable Ferdinand Omanyala clinched a win at Kasarani
Africa 100 metres record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya had his best moments with a stunning victory in the men’s 100m at the Absa Kip Keino Classic at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
“It’s good to set the world lead and this forms part of my build-up ahead of the World Championships but first things first, Rabat is my next hunting ground,” said Omanyala.
Omanyala who had a false start, stormed to victory in 9.84 seconds to retain his title as the crowd that included President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga roared with joy and celebrations.
“I know Rabat will be tough but as I said no one will beat me in 100m this season,” said Omanyala.
Omanyala edged out the Olympic and world 200m silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek from the United States of America to second place in a season-best of 9.98.
“I will do my best since my ultimate target is the top podium place at the World Championships,” added Omanyala, who thanked Kenyans and especially President William Ruto for turning out in numbers to cheer him to victory.
World 100m silver medalist Marvin Bracy-Williams failed to hold the pressure from Omanyala and Bednarek to settle third in a season-best 10.03.
Omanyala will line up against Olympic 100m champion Marcel Jacobs from Italy and world 100m champion Fred Kerley of the US at the Rabat Diamond League on May 28 in Morocco.
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The victory saw Omanyala finally claim the world lead time to officially hit the World Championships qualifying entry standard of 10.00 seconds.
However, Omanyala fell short of his promise to break his own African record time of 9.77 set in 2021.
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Simiu’s Victory in 10,000m as Were and Mwangi succeed
Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres silver medallist Daniel Simiu won the men’s 10,000m. Simiu dominated the race early with great front running before breaking with four laps to go to triumph in 28 minutes and 09.93 seconds.
“It was tough but I’m glad to have run well. The crowd is marvellous. It’s my third time to compete in the 10,000m race and it feels great,” said the Africa 5,000m silver medallist.
Simiu edged out Edwin Kipkemoi to second place in 28:30.05 as Stanley Njihia clocked 28:30.61.
“Last year I had a back injury but it’s good I’m in good shape now,” said Simiu.
Meanwhile, he is now focused on doing well at the World Athletics Championships scheduled for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
National 400 metres hurdles champions Wiseman Were and Hannah Mwangi had a victory to set new meet records when they won their respective 400m hurdles races at the Absa Kip Keino Classic.
Were, who is also the 110mH champion, clocked 49.49 seconds to put away the men’s race, as Mwangi dipped home in a personal best of 57.44 to reign in the women’s race.
Were edged out by Kipkorir Rotich to second place in 50.37 as Edward Ngunjiri came third in 50.70.
“The support from the amazing crowd was great and if this goes on we are motivated as athletes,” said Were, adding that it’s early in the season for him but his body feels great.
“My ultimate target is to represent Kenya at the World Athletics Championships,” he added.
However, Were, who has a season-best 49.23, has to beat the entry standard of 48.70 for the Budapest event.
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Mwangi blew away the field with a great attack of the hurdles to win, beating Diana Chebet and Jane Chege to second and third places in 59.40 and 59.97 respectively.
“Running my personal best today has just motivated me to do more training and I’m aiming to lower it further to 56 seconds,” said Mwangi, who hailed the great atmosphere at the arena.
“I am in good shape. This is my training ground and I want to thank my training mates for the support they have always accorded me,” said Mwangi.
Kirwa sets new meet record
It’s the national champions Peter Mwangi (shot put) and Isaac Kirwa (long jump) who warmed up the 60,000-seater arena with victories in their respective events.
Kirwa, the 2018 national champion, scaled to a season-best of 7.34m to win the men’s long jump and also set a new meet record.
Kirwa beat Edwin Kimutai in 7.28m as Bismarck Korir managed 7.23m for third.
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Mwangi, the 2018 and 2022 shot put champion, managed 16.25 metres to win, beating the 2019 national champion Benson Maina, who managed 15.86m. Fredrick Kiprop Chumba settled third with 15.30m.
Mwangi’s victory comes almost two weeks after he won the sixth leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meet in 15.71m at the Nyayo National Stadium. The events were the first on the card.
Herman beats javelin record as Yego struggles
Belgium’s Timothy Herman entertained the fans at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani down as he made his way to victory in men’s javelin at the Kip Keino Classic in a meet record.
Herman, who was making his third appearance after finishing third both in 2020 and 2021, won his first throw of 87.35 metres for his personal best and world leader.
Herman stunned two-time reigning world champion Anderson Peters from Grenade to second place in 85.72m as defending champion Ihab Abdelrahman El Sayed from Egypt in 81.04m settled for third place.
The 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego from Kenya settled fifth with the season’s best third throw of 77.24m.
In addition, Abdelrahman won last year’s event in a meet-record throw of 83.71m.
“This is such a surprise to me…I didn’t expect to win today with two world champions around,” said Herman, who went into the event with a career-best 80.48m. “My target was to improve my personal best to 83m but throwing 87m is phenomenal and a great achievement.”
Herman said winning the Kip Keino for the first time gave him a good platform for the rest of the season.
“I’m looking forward to a good season and I have many throws to do before the World Championships,” explained Herman. “Nairobi is just great and getting the crowd cheering for you is just a good thing as a competitor.”
Despite his performance, Peters hailed the crowd for cheering him with every throw.
“This is incredible because they kept me going,” said Peters. “The season has started and I believe there is more to work on before the World Championships.”
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Sha’Carri Richardson strolls to 200m MR at Kasarani
American sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson had almost the whole stadium on their feet as she blasted to victory in the women’s 200 metres in a meet-record 22.07 seconds at the Absa Kip Keino Stadium on Saturday.
Against the backdrop of deafening cheers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Richardson led from the blocks and started celebrating almost 20 metres from the finish line.
Richardson clocked 22.07 seconds to win, beating fellow American Kyra Jefferson to second place in season’s best 22.77 as Ray Shannon came third in a personal best 22.82.
“It was amazing winning here in Nairobi and the season is good but I look forward to a better one. We still have a few events before the World Championships,” said Richardson.
Richardson’s time is now second-best in the world this season after Julien Alfred’s 21.91.
Canada’s 4x100m world champion Aaron Brown won men’s 200m in 20.12, beating Kyree King from the USA to second place in a season-best 20.18.
“I’m really excited about coming in strong. It’s encouraging and I’m always glad to return back to Kenya,” said Brown. “I want to run super fast this season.”
Brown said he would like to see the World Championships held in Africa because Kenya has shown real talent.
Mary Moraa’s stunning 800m victory
Commonwealth Games 800 metres champion Mary Moraa is the new Absa Kip Keino Classic women’s 800m champion.
“Running my best season at home today is the best thing. I want to thank my fans who have been supportive, cheering me the whole distance,” said Moraa, the 2022 Diamond League 800m winner.
Moraa, the world 800m bronze medalist, lived up to her promise of a sub-two minutes performance when she cracked the season’s best one minute and 58.83 seconds to win.
“I had done good training and I have seen where I will be going to polish ahead of the World Championships,” said Moraa, who was fresh from breaking her own national record in 400m in Botswana.
Celebrated by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, Moraa, paced by training mate Millicent Ndoro, hit the bell at 55.73 before putting away the race in a season’s best to also atone for finishing second last year.
“It will be a competitive season and I’m going to work hard since Budapest won’t be easy,” explained Moraa, who beat Desta Netsanet from Ethiopia to second place in 2:00.14 as Vivian Chebet of Kenya came third in 2:00.54.
Defending champion Prudence Sekgodiso from South Africa finished fifth in 2:01.19.
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The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
