Africa-Press – Kenya. Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas is hoping to rewrite the record books, chasing a sub-22-second finish, to time the fastest 200m time ever run on Kenyan soil when she storms onto the Nyayo Stadium tartan today.
No woman, Kenyan or international, has ever dipped beneath the 22-second barrier over 200m on Kenyan soil. The current benchmark stands at 22.07 seconds, set by fellow American Sha’Carri Richardson at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.
Over the 200m, Thomas boasts a personal best of 21.60 seconds, clocked at the 2023 USA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, credentials that firmly show she can meet the mark.
The 29-year-old now has her sights locked on becoming the first woman to break the 22-second barrier on Kenyan soil. “I would love to be the first to run a sub-22-second 200m race here in Kenya,” she said.
Her confidence is well-founded, having sharpened her speed at last weekend’s Addis Ababa Grand Prix. “I do feel good about my fitness. In Ethiopia, I ran 22 seconds into a headwind.
If the conditions are nice, then things could shake up nicely,” she added. In Addis Ababa, Thomas doubled with authority in both the 100m and 200m. Over 200m, she powered to victory in 22.15, finishing ahead of compatriots Cambrea Sturgis (22.42) and Maia McCoy (22.96).
She then followed it up with a crisp 11.13 seconds in the 100m, leading home Chante Clinkscale (11.34) and Sturgis (11.36). Despite the lure of history, Thomas remains grounded in the fundamentals.
“But of course I want to win the race, that’s the main target. If I can get the win, I will be very happy. ”She is also braced for a fierce contest. “I know the competition will be good.
”Thomas further revealed her long-held desire to race on East African soil.
“I have always wanted to come to East Africa and run here. I had a great time in Ethiopia, and even here in Kenya, I feel so welcome. I can’t wait to race.
”Meanwhile, Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, will be chasing a statement run of his own as he targets the world lead in the men’s 100m.
The current world-leading mark stands at 9.89 seconds, set by Collen Kebinatshipi at the Botswana National Championships on April 3. “Now that I have built up momentum, I have to stand on business at the Kip Keino,” Omanyala said.
“At the back of my mind, I am looking at the world lead.
”Omanyala’s confidence surged after rediscovering his rhythm at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, where the 2022 Commonwealth Games 100m champion dipped under 10 seconds for the first time in nearly two years, clocking 9.98.
“When we started last season, I had an injury, and I was struggling in training, running some very weird times.
”“For those who saw me running in Ethiopia, they could see I have my smile back, so now it’s just about building on that,” he said.
And in trademark fashion, Omanyala issued a no-nonsense warning to his rivals. “I am respecting all the athletes who have come out, but the race is not about them.
It’s about running and chasing the finish line. Whoever comes, we will go head-on. ”He also reflected on his journey alongside the Kip Keino Classic. “It’s six years since I got into the professional setting, and it’s here at Kip Keino that I got the African record.
”“I have been using it as a growth tool for me, and I am looking forward to running as many Kip Keinos as I can.
”Omanyala famously set the African record at the 2021 edition, blazing to 9.77 seconds to finish second behind Trayvon Bromell (9.76).
Reigning world 800m champion Lilian Odira will be looking to ignite her season in front of a home crowd. “The Kip Keino Classic is my season opener, just to gauge where my body is at the moment,” she said.
Last year, Odira clocked 1:58.39 to secure victory ahead of Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (1:58.47) and Sarah Moraa (1:58.96). This time, however, her focus is firmly on control rather than the clock.
“The most important thing is that I want to defend my title. I won’t promise much about time, but if a fast time comes, I will still appreciate it,” she said.
