Reigning Olympic champion Camryn Rogers made her maiden trip to Africa a memorable one, clinching victory in emphatic fashion at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Canadian dominated the women’s hammer throw at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex, registering a season-best mark of 77.93 meters (255 feet, 8 inches).
In just her second outing of the season, the Cal alumna stamped her authority on the competition, delivering the four longest throws of the day and securing victory by a commanding margin of over 12 feet. Despite fouling on her opening two attempts, Rogers found her rhythm in the third round with a throw of 74.73 meters, before unleashing a trio of 77-meter throws to seal the title.
The contest saw Denmark’s Katrine Koch Jacobsen take second place with a season-best 74.21 meters (243-5), narrowly edging out American Janee Kassanavoid, who claimed third with 74.17 meters (243-4).
Adding to the prestige of the event, world record-holder and three-time Olympic champion Anita Włodarczyk of Poland was also in action. The legendary 39-year-old, who boasts six world records to her name, finished seventh on the day with a season-best of 70.27 meters (230-6).
For Rogers, this Nairobi triumph is yet another milestone in an already glittering career. The former collegiate standout and three-time NCAA champion, has now added Africa to her growing global competition record.
The Canadian dominance continued in the men’s hammer throw, where Ethan Katzberg, the reigning Olympic champion from Paris, launched a world-leading throw of 82.73 meters (271-5) to claim victory.
The Kip Keino Classic, named in honor of Kenyan distance running legend Kipchoge Keino, forms part of the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series.
The annual meet continues to attract some of the biggest names in global track and field, further cementing Nairobi’s status on the international athletics calendar.
