Omanyala Wins Kip Keino Classic With Second Consecutive Run Under 10 Seconds

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, dominated the Kip Keino Classic 2026, storming to gold and registering his second sub-10-second run of the season.

In a dramatic race, the Kenyan sprint star appeared to ease out of the blocks before powering through the field at a buzzing Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, April 24, 2026. The African 100m record holder delivered a dominant gun-to-tape run, posting a season-best 9.96 seconds to extend his strong start to the campaign.

South Africa’s Rivaldo Roberts finished second in 10.12, while Canada’s Aaron Brown completed the podium in 10.15.

The race unfolded amid tension and interruptions, with Omanyala staying composed despite two false starts that rattled the field and heightened the atmosphere in the stadium. The disruptions proved costly for South Africa’s national champion Gift Leotlela, who was disqualified, forcing a reshuffle ahead of the final restart.

Ferdinand Omanyala celebrates after winning the men's 100m race at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, 2026. /CAPITAL SPORTS

Once the race finally got underway cleanly, Omanyala took full control. He burst out of the blocks with precision, seized the lead midway, and unleashed the top-end speed that once made him a regular sub-10 performer.

The win marks a key moment in his comeback following a challenging 2025 season, where injuries and inconsistency hindered his form, limiting him to 10.07 and a third-place finish at last year’s Kip Keino Classic.

Heading into the race, Omanyala had made his intentions clear, promising to “stand on business” and deliver another sub-10-second performance in front of the home crowd at the Continental Tour event. The Commonwealth champion arrived at Nyayo in arguably his best shape in nearly two years. Just a week earlier, he had shut down doubters at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, blazing to 9.98 seconds—his first sub-10 since August 2024.

Speaking during Thursday’s pre-race press briefing in Nairobi, a confident Omanyala insisted his win in Ethiopia marked only the start of a bigger comeback.

“Now that we’ve picked up the momentum in Addis Ababa, we have to stand on business tomorrow. I am feeling good, the execution is getting sharper, and I’m looking to run under 10 seconds again,” Omanyala said.

The Kip Keino Classic remains one of his most successful stages. It was at this very event in 2021 that he set the African record of 9.77 seconds, and he was clearly targeting another statement performance under the stadium lights.

After a tough 2025 campaign marked by inconsistency and near misses in breaking the 10-second barrier, his 9.98 in Addis Ababa has flipped the script. The sprint king has also reunited with coach Duncan Ayiemba, a move already showing results, particularly in his drive phase and top-end speed.

Meanwhile at the Kip Keino Classic, three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas clinched a double victory in the women's 100m and 200m, emerging victorious in the former at a time of 11.01 seconds and a world lead of 21.89 seconds in the former.

Former world javelin champion Julius Yego finished fourth at the Kip Keino Classic 2026 with 79.87m, narrowly missing the podium but encouraged after his first full run-up event post-injury.

Diana Wanza dominated the women’s 5,000m, breaking away with six laps left to win in a personal best 15:28.91. Emmanuel Wanyonyi claimed the 1,500m in 3:34.11, leading a Kenyan 1-7 sweep.

However, in the women’s 800m, Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma Getachew stunned the home crowd, winning in 1:58.79 ahead of Lillian Odira (1:59.15).

USA's Gabby Thomas in action at the Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya on April 24, 2026. /X