KipKeino Classic 2025: Australian sprinter Lachlan pips Omanyala to gold

Australian sprinter Kennedy Lachlan pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour, storming to victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi with a scintillating time of 9.98 seconds.

Running against a hyped field that included home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala and South African sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza, Lachlan delivered a near-flawless race to clinch top honours at the Ulinzi Sports Complex — stunning a packed crowd that had come expecting a Kenyan or South African win.

Walaza, the reigning World Under-20 100m and 200m champion, crossed the line second in 10.03, while Omanyala — the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist — faded late to finish third in 10.07.

It marked back-to-back disappointments for Omanyala at his home leg of the Continental Tour.

 “This was about execution. I knew I had to get out fast and stay composed, especially in this altitude,” Lachlan said after the race. “It’s a fantastic field, so to come out with the win in Nairobi — that’s massive for me.”

Bayanda, still only 20, was gracious in defeat and said the experience would shape his development going forward.

“I’m still learning. Every race like this adds to my growth. The start wasn’t great, but these are the kind of moments that teach you the most,” the South African said.