Kenya's Omanyala shines at Kip Keino Classic

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NAIROBI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- African men's record holder Ferdinand Omanyala was one of the three athletes who dropped world leading times at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic that wrapped up here on Saturday.

The star-studded World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event marked its fourth edition in front of tens of thousands as it seeks to be upgraded to the Diamond League from 2024.

Other stars of the one-day international meet were American pair Twanisha Terry and Sha'Carri Richardson who dominated the women's 100m and 200m races.

In the final event of the day, Omanyala, who is gunning to make history by winning the men's 100m world title in Budapest, Hungary, laid down a marker by winning in a world-leading 9.84.

The Commonwealth and African champion whipped the huge crowd into ecstasy when he dipped ahead of charging American duo of Kenneth Bednarek (9.98) and Marvin Bracy-Williams (10.03) to victory in a tight race.

"This year, it's me against time with the target of the world title," Omanyala said.

His victory almost lifted the roof off the 60,000-seat Moi International Sports Center with the crowd led by Kenyan President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga bursting into song.

In the women's 200m, Richardson, who has strung an unbeaten start to the season, blasted to a meet record of 22.07 drawing huge cheers.

"I was excited although I was disappointed in (the) choice, I wanted to compete in the 100m but I had to do it for myself, fans and lovers," Richardson said after her victory.

In the absence of the three-time Olympics and nine-time world champion, Terry, a member of the American 4x400m relay world championship winning team in Eugene, Oregon last year, cruised to victory in 10.86. New Zealander and Oceania record holder Zoe Hobbs took silver in 10.97 with Belgian Rani Rosius rounding off the podium in 11.08.

"The race was good, I wanted to impress the home crowd and it's an amazing feeling to keep doing what I do," Terry said.

Canada's Aaron Brown (20.12) finished ahead of Kyree King of American (20.18) and Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia (20.19) in the men's 200m. Kenyan world junior champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi also caught the eye with a world-leading 1:43.22 in the men's 800m.

In the field events, Ukrainian world silver medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh won with a 2.00m world lead in the women's high jump as she bids to capture the world title in Budapest this summer. Laura Zialor of Britain was second in 1.90m, while Kateryna Tabashnyk also of Ukraine winning the bronze with 1.86m.

Anita Wlodarczyk, the reigning three-time Olympic champion and world record holder, was upset in the women's hammer throw after managing 70.27m for bronze. American Janee Kassanavoid won in 74.25m and her compatriot Janeah Stewart took silver in 71.43m. Enditem

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