Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy delivered a career-defining performance, storming to victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
Kennedy, largely considered an underdog in a star-studded lineup, clocked a personal best of 9.98 seconds to claim gold at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, stunning a packed Nairobi crowd that had turned up expecting a home triumph from Kenyan sprint king Ferdinand Omanyala or South African teenage sensation Bayanda Walaza.
The race, which experienced a brief delay after a false start prompted by an unsettled crowd, saw Kennedy get off the blocks sharply and maintain his form through the finish line to secure one of the biggest wins of his young career.
Favorites Falter as Kennedy Seizes His Moment
Much of the pre-race attention had centered on Omanyala, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who was under pressure to deliver a statement performance after a fifth-place finish at the same event last year. Alongside him was Bayanda Walaza, the reigning World Under-20 100m and 200m champion, tipped by many to continue his rapid ascent in senior sprinting.
At the gun, Omanyala made a strong start and appeared to have control of the race in the opening 40 metres. However, Kennedy and Walaza surged ahead past the halfway mark, with the Australian maintaining his composure to edge clear while the African duo battled for the remaining podium places.
In the end, it was Walaza who took silver in 10.03 seconds, while Omanyala had to settle for bronze with 10.07 seconds, an improvement from his fifth-place showing in 2024 but still shy of his season’s sub-10 second ambitions.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s part of the sport,” Omanyala admitted.
“I felt good out of the blocks, but credit to Kennedy, he ran a brilliant race.”
For Walaza, still only 20, the experience proved another vital step in his professional journey.
“I’m still learning. Every race like this adds to my growth,” he said.
“The start wasn’t great, but these are the kind of moments that teach you the most.”
With a raucous Nairobi crowd witnessing one of the most memorable sprints in Kip Keino Classic history, this year’s 100m final proved once again why the Continental Tour stop in Kenya continues to deliver unpredictable and electric athletics drama.
