Omanyala 9.96 Leads Nyayo Sprint Explosion as Global Stars Light Up Nairobi
Omanyala Anchors Sub-10 Consistency on Home Soil
Africa's fastest 100m man,Ferdinand Omanyala opened the night in commanding fashion, clocking 9.96 seconds to win the men’s 100m and reinforce his early-season consistency after a recent 9.98 in Addis Ababa.
“It doesn’t matter who shows up or not, we still have to run,” he said. “I’m just excited that my form is coming back… the body is feeling great and we are going for something spectacular.”
South Africa’s Rivaldo Roberts followed in 10.12 seconds, reflecting on a fast season opener. “It was amazing. It was fast. I had no time to think,” he said, adding that the focus is “to carry this momentum.”
Thomas Delivers World-Leading 200m Masterclass
Gabrielle Thomas completed a sprint double in dominant fashion, leading a clean sweep of the women’s 100m in 11.01 seconds before returning to storm a world-leading 21.89 seconds in the 200m.
“My coach told me just focus on racing, focus on winning. That’s all you can control,” Thomas said. “I’m in great shape — best shape I’ve been.”
Her 200m win edged teammate Cambrea Sturgis (21.93 PB) in a tightly contested American duel.
Dambile Breakthrough in Blistering 200m Final
South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile produced the performance of his career in the men’s 200m, powering to a personal best 19.77 seconds to defeat Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.93).
The race featured multiple personal bests, including Kenya’s Dennis Mwai (20.63) and Ronald Koech (20.65), highlighting depth in a fast sprint half-lap.
Zakithi Nene took the men’s 400m in 44.50 seconds, narrowly beating Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44.55 SB) in a high-intensity battle.
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui impressed with a breakthrough personal best of 44.95 seconds.
Oketch Leads Home Success in Women’s 400m
Mercy Adongo Oketch delivered Kenya’s standout home win in 50.17 seconds (SB), ahead of a strong chase group featuring multiple personal bests.
“We practised it, taking it rep by rep,” said second-placed Paris Peoples (51.06), in a race that reflected sharp execution across lanes.
Norway’s Amalie Iuel produced a world-leading and meet record 54.12 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles, controlling the race from start to finish.
“The body is feeling great and we are going for something spectacular,” she said after pulling away from Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya (54.60).
Sprint Depth Defines Nyayo Meeting
Across sprints and hurdles, the meeting produced world-leading marks, meet records, season’s bests and multiple personal bests.
American dominance in women’s sprinting, Kenyan strength on home soil, and breakthrough performances from emerging global sprinters combined to deliver one of the most competitive early-season athletics meetings of 2026.