Liberian sprint sensation Joseph Fahnbulleh stamped his authority on the track with a commanding victory in the men’s 200m at the Kip Keino Classic, held on Saturday at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Fahnbulleh crossed the finish line in 20.40 seconds, overcoming a headwind of -1.5 m/s and a sluggish start to power through the field in the final stretch. Running from lane 6, the Liberian star’s reaction time of 0.233 seconds was the slowest in the race, but his top-end speed proved unstoppable as he surged ahead after the curve to secure the gold.
The race brought together a competitive lineup of international talent, but it was Fahnbulleh’s late-race acceleration that separated him from the pack. South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi clinched silver with a season-best 20.47 seconds, after leading through the bend from lane 5 with a sharp reaction time of 0.173 seconds. However, the South African couldn’t hold off Fahnbulleh’s ferocious finish.
Switzerland’s William Reais completed the podium, bagging bronze in a season-best 20.72 seconds. Running out of lane 4, Reais maintained his composure to fend off a determined late push from Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten, who finished fourth in 20.78 seconds, also clocking a season-best.
The race also featured a strong showing from Canadian Duan Asemota, who posted a personal best of 20.80 seconds to secure fifth place. Meanwhile, Kenya’s own Dennis Mwai electrified the home crowd by placing sixth in 20.91 seconds. At just 19 years old, Mwai’s performance on home soil highlighted his emerging talent and potential in the sprints.
Australia’s Calab Law rounded out the finishers in seventh, clocking 20.98 seconds and impressing with the fastest reaction time of the race at 0.147 seconds. Unfortunately, Sinesipho Dambile of South Africa did not start, leaving an empty lane 7 in what promised to be an even tighter contest.
The Kip Keino Classic, a prominent fixture on the World Athletics Continental Tour, once again delivered thrilling performances and memorable moments for athletics fans. Fahnbulleh’s impressive victory in Nairobi not only adds to his growing collection of international titles but also strengthens his status as one of the top sprinters to watch this season.
As the athletics season heats up, Joseph Fahnbulleh’s dominance in Nairobi serves as a clear reminder that he remains a serious contender on the global sprinting stage.
