Omanyala Blasted through the Kip Keino Classic 100M final to finish 2nd with a time of 9.76 seconds, becoming the fastest man in Africa. Omanyala finished behind American Trayvon Bromell who clocked a time of 9.75 sec. Veteran Justin Gatlin finished in 3rd place with a time of 10.02 seconds. Omanyala also broke the Kenyan national record for the 5th time and also emerged as the 6th fastest man in the 100M all time list, 4 places behind Usain Bolt; 9.58 seconds.
“I have conquered Africa, next I’m going for the World record. I promised my fans a good show and I’m happy I delivered,” Omanyala said. Gatlin praised Omanyala saying: “He used the hometown support really well. I believe Omanyala will be a force to reckon with.” The 2004 Olympic champion Gatlin put retirement on hold despite having to settle for third in Saturday’s season-closing 100m at the World Athletics continental tour meet in Nairobi.
Omanyala's time of 9.76 seconds means he is now officially the fastest human in Africa as he takes over from South African Akani Simbine. Simbine’s record of 9,84 seconds, which he set over the 100 metre run at the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary, only lasted two months as Africa has found a new king in the form of Kenya’s Omanyala.
Also in the Kip Keino Classic, Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma continued with her superb form as she defeated Ivorian Marie Josee Ta Lou in the women’s 200m when she won in 22.39s to make it 11 wins over the distance this year. Mboma, who had to step down to 200m due to World Athletics’ rules relating to naturally high testosterone levels in women, closed her season on high note. Noah Kipruto Kibet beat a strong field that included Olympic silver medallist Ferguson Rotich to take the 800m race, Kibet gave a kick of his lifetime at the 150m mark to power on and cross the line 1:44.98.
Two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon also continued with her fine form as she won her last race on home soils in the women’s 1500m. Kipyegon won the race a time of 4:02.40