Kip Keino Classic meet lives up to its billing despite venue change

Mercy Oketch celebrates after winning the 400m women's final during the 2025 Absa Kip Keino Classic- World Continental Tour Gold Nairobi event at Ulinzi Complex on May 31, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series meeting lived up to it's billing at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday.

There were world leading times and other records were also set at the electrifying venue where hundreds of athletes from across the globe battled for glory.

And for the second year in a row, Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala failed to deliver to the expectant fans who had thronged the venue to watch him in the highly anticipated race of the day, the men's 100m.

Both Omanyala and South African teenage sensation Bayanda Wazala were all stunned by Kennedy Lachlan of Australia who snatched the highly sought after crown.

Wazala was second while Omanyala finished third. The crowd went silent after the nervy showdown that had a terrifying false start. 

Despite Omanyala's woes, Kenyans got consolation from Wiseman Were, Lilian Odira, Mercy Oketch and Sarah Moraa who hit Tokyo 2025 Olympics qualifying mark in their categories.

Odira floored a rich field to emerge the new queen of the two lap women's 800m race Botswana's Nowe Oratile was second while Sarah Moraa finished third. Sarah's cousin Mary Moraa was not available to defend her title. 

Oketch, the 2024 Africa Military Games 400m silver medallist, delivered a sensational performance at the venue, breaking the national 400m record and booking her place at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

“I feel happy with the time I have clocked,” said Oketch. “I have set a new national record and snatched it from my mentor Mary Moraa to qualify for the Worlds."

Were lived up to his promise to deliver in men's 400m hurdles, clinching a fourth successive crown in the category. The feat saw him attain the Tokyo World Championships mark in the discipline.

"I feel good with the performance. I’m a sub-47:00 athlete though I did not achieve that, I am happy with the victory," Were said.

"I will now sharpen on the hurdle clearance as I prepare for the Diamond League," he said.

Even though he did not attain the World Championship mark, Kenya's George Malala was happy to have set a new shot put record with a throw of 16.60m.