Olympic champions Gabrielle Thomas and Camryn Rogers delivered record-breaking performances as the Absa Kip Keino Classic lit up Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, 24 April 2026.
American Thomas delivered one of the standout displays, completing a dominant sprint double at the meeting’s first-ever night-time staging.
She first led an American clean sweep in the women’s 100m in 11.01 seconds before returning to clock a world-leading 21.89 in the 200m. This was the fastest time in the world this year and a meeting record.
Her compatriot, Cambrea Sturgis, also dipped under 22 seconds (21.93), finishing second while Kenya’s Millicent Ndoro placed third in a personal best of 23.21.
“My coach told me just to focus on racing and winning, that’s all you can control,” Thomas said. “I’m in great shape; the best I’ve been in.”
Field events deliver records
In the field, Canada’s Olympic and world champions Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers led the way with outstanding performances.
Rogers claimed the women’s title with an 80.03m meeting record on her final attempt, breaking Poland’s Anita Włodarczyk’s previous record of 78.06m.
Her series showed a gradual recovery after early fouls, building from 72.89m to 78.60m before delivering the decisive throw.
“After getting my rhythm and reconnecting with the hammer, I was able to battle my way back,” she said.
France’s Rose Loga finished second with a personal best of 75.19m, while Iceland’s Gudrun Karl Helgadottir also set a personal best of 73.88m in third.
Katzberg dominated the men’s event with a world-leading 82.43m this series, underlining control and consistency. Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan threw 81.26m for second with Czechia’s Volodymyr Myslyvchuk third with 77.71m.
In the javelin, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage set another meeting record with 89.28m. Germany’s Thomas Röhler, the 2016 Olympic champion, was second (83.33m), with South Africa’s Douw Smit third (81.19m).
Omanyala returns to form at home
Kenya’s African record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala, thrilled home fans by winning the men’s 100m in 9.96 seconds.
It marked his second sub-10 performance in a week, following a 20-month spell without breaking the barrier. This was Omanyala’s third win at the Kip Keino Classic and his first since 2023.
“It doesn’t matter who shows up — we still have to run,” he said. “The body is feeling great, and we are going for something spectacular.”
South Africa’s Rivaldo Roberts finished second in 10.12, with Canada’s Aaron Brown third.
Godana shocks in steeplechase as Wanyonyi steps up
Ethiopia’s Gemechu Godana upset the home favourites with victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. He sprinted to a new meeting record of 8:14.55 at the last barrier, beating Kenya’s Simon Koech (8:15.71) with Leonard Kipkemoi Bett (8:25.06) in third.
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi impressed in the 1500m with a personal best of 3:34.11 to win.
Stepping up from his 800m specialty, the world champion took the lead at the bell, holding off distance specialists. Cheruiyot finished second (3:34.73) with Kyumbe Munguti third (3:36.21).
Africa’s sprintdepth on display
South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile won the men’s 200m in a personal best of 19.77, ahead of Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.93).
In the 400m, Zakithi Nene edged Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga in 44.50, while Kenya’s Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui set a personal best of 44.95 in third.
Kenya’s Mercy Adongo Oketch claimed victory in the women’s 400m in 50.17, while Norway’s Amalie Iuel clocked a world-leading 54.12 in the women’s 400m hurdles.
SOURCE: KIP KEINO CLASSIC
