Omanyala beaten at home as Australian Lachlan wins Kip Keino Classic 100m
Australian sprinter Kennedy Lachlan shocked a packed Ulinzi Sports Complex by beating local favourite Ferdinand Omanyala to win the men’s 100 metres at the 2025 Kip Keino Classic in 9.98 seconds.
On a day when Kenyan fans hoped for gold in the men’s 100 metres at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, it was Australian sprinter Kennedy Lachlan who stole the spotlight, storming to victory at the Kip Keino Classic 2025 in 9.98 seconds.
Running against a hyped field that included local hero Ferdinand Omanyala and South African rising star Bayanda Walaza, Lachlan executed a flawless race to pull off one of the biggest upsets of this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour. Omanyala, carrying the hopes of the home crowd, had to settle for third in 10.07 seconds, just behind Walaza (10.03).
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“This was about execution. I knew I had to get out fast and stay composed, especially in this altitude,” said Lachlan after the race. “It’s a fantastic field, so to come out with the win in Nairobi - that’s massive for me.”
For Omanyala, it marked another disappointment on home soil following a fifth-place finish at the same meet last year. Despite a powerful start, he faded in the final 20 metres, a familiar pattern that left the crowd stunned and searching for answers.
Meanwhile, Walaza, the reigning World U20 champion, remained upbeat despite narrowly missing out on victory.
“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,” said the 20-year-old South African.
Elsewhere, Brazil’s Mauricio da Silva shattered the South American javelin record with a massive throw of 86.34 m, beating Germany’s Thomas Röhler (80.79 m) and Portugal’s Leandro Ramos (80.68 m). Kenyan javelin veteran Julius Yego finished fifth with a season-best of 78.74 m.
Kenya’s Wiseman Were claimed the 400 m hurdles in a personal best of 48.34 seconds, while Zakithi Nene of South Africa shocked the men’s 400 m field with a world-leading 43.76 seconds — making him the fourth-fastest African ever over the distance.
Other standout performances included Edmund Serem’s victory in the men’s 3,000 m steeplechase (8:27.68), Jonah Koech’s personal best win in the men’s 800 m (1:43.32), and Liberia’s Maia McCoy, who won the women’s 100 m in 11.21 seconds.
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