Omanyala notches back-to-back sub-10 glory with Kip Keino Classic triumph

Home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala brought the roof down with a stunning victory in the men’s 100m at the Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.

The African 100m record holder ran a gun to tape performance to secure a season best time of 9.96seconds, as he continued with his new season purple patch.

Rivaldo Roberts of South Africa was second in 10.12seconds while Aaron Brown of Canada rounded out the podium in 10.15 seconds.

In a race marred by drama and disruption, Omanyala held his nerve through two false starts that unsettled the field and raised tension inside the stadium.

The chaotic build-up saw South Africa’s national champion Gift Leotlela disqualified, leaving a reshuffled lineup for the decisive third start.

When the gun finally held firm, the race was Omanyala’s to command—and he did just that.

Exploding out of the blocks with renewed sharpness, the Commonwealth Games champion surged ahead midway through the race, showcasing the top-end speed that once made him a consistent sub-10 performer.

"It was awesome. The moment I stepped in the track, it was all joy and just like a celebration for me. And just knowing that the body is feeling great, I knew I was going for something spectacular. So it was just exciting," said Omanyala after the win.

“I’m looking forward to my next races, but for now I think we'll maintain sub-10. Just looking forward to running sub-10s in most of the races that I'm going to participate in.”

The victory marked a significant milestone in Omanyala’s resurgence after a difficult 2025 campaign. Plagued by injuries and inconsistency, he struggled to break the 10-second barrier, managing a modest 10.07 for third place at last year’s Kip Keino Classic.

The dip in form prompted a reset, including a reunion with coach Duncan Ayiemba, aimed at refining his drive phase and restoring his explosive finish.

Signs of recovery had already emerged earlier this season, with Omanyala clocking 9.98 seconds at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix—his first sub-10 performance in nearly two years. That momentum carried into Nairobi, where he delivered a statement win.