Omanyara from Kenya shines at Kip Keino Classic

Nairobi, May 13 (Xinhua) – African men’s record holder Ferdinand Omanyara is one of three athletes to top the world time at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic, which ended here on Saturday. was.

The star-studded World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event celebrated its fourth edition in front of tens of thousands of spectators, aiming for promotion to the Diamond League from 2024.

Other stars of the one-off international competition were the American pair Towanisha Terry and Shakari Richardson, who dominated the women’s 100m and 200m races.

In the final event of the day, Omanyara, who is trying to make history by winning the men’s 100m world title in Budapest, Hungary, set a new benchmark with a world-leading time of 9.84.

The Commonwealth and Africa champions thundered to the crowds as they surged ahead in a close race, leading the American duo of Kenneth Bednarek (9.98s) and Marvin Bracey-Williams (10.03s) to victory. engulfed in a whirlwind of joy.

“This year I am racing against time with the goal of a world title,” Omanyara said.

His victory shook the roof of the 60,000-seat Moi International Sports Center in chorus, led by Kenyan President William Ruto and opposition leader Laila Odinga.

In the women’s 200 meters, Richardson, who started the season undefeated, set a tournament record of 22.07 seconds and received great applause.

“I was disappointed[with the choice]but I was excited. said after the victory.

In the absence of a three-time Olympic and nine-time world champion, Terry, who was part of the US 4x400m relay world championship winning team in Eugene, Oregon last year, won in 10.86 seconds. New Zealand and Oceania record holder Zoe Hobbs took the silver medal in 10.97 seconds, while Belgium’s Lani Rosius rounded out the podium in 11.08 seconds.

“The race was good, I wanted to impress the home crowd and it feels great to keep doing what I do,” said Terry.

In the men’s 200m, Canada’s Aaron Brown (20.12) finished ahead of USA’s Kylie King (20.18) and Liberia’s Joseph Farnbulle (20.19). Kenyan world junior champion Emmanuel Wanyoni also drew attention by recording the world’s fastest time of 1:43.22 in the men’s 800m.

In field events, Ukrainian world silver medalist Yaroslava Makhuchik won the women’s high jump by 2.00 meters, aiming to win the world title in Budapest this summer. Britain’s Laura Zialor was second in 1.90m, while fellow Ukraine’s Katerina Tabashnik won bronze in 1.86m.

Reigning three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Anita Vlodarczyk was upset after winning the bronze medal in the women’s hammer throw with a 70.27m throw. American Janie Casana Boyd won at 74.25m and her compatriot Jania Stewart won silver at 71.43m.