Omanyala, Tebogo among stars confirmed for 2024 Kip Keino Classic

Organizers of the 2024 Kip Keino Classic have revealed some of the big names that are expected to take part in the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event.

Among them is the reigning African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and the fast-rising Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo.

“The champ is here! We are excited to announce that Ferdinand Omanyala, a true powerhouse in athletics, will participate in the eagerly anticipated Absa Kip Keino Classic 2024. Men’s 100m is about to get lit,” a statement from the organizers read.

Omanyala is expected to run his first competitive 100m race this season at the event which will be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, April 20.

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Meanwhile, Tebogo has taken part in several races since the start of the year with his most recent one coming at the South Africa Athletics (ASA) Grand Prix which was staged in Johannesburg several days ago.

At the ASA Grand Prix, the 20-year-old defeated the likes of homeboy Akani Simbine in the 200m race, clocking 19:94 seconds in the process.

On the other hand, Simbine clocked 20:32 to secure the second-place position. 

At the Kip Keino Classic, Tebogo will feature in both the 100m and 200m races.

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Some of the other sprinters, who have so far been confirmed for the eagerly anticipated event, include Mark Otieno Odhiambo, United States runner Kenny Bednarek and his Ivorian counterpart Arthur Cisse.

Cisse, who switched his training base to Kenya earlier this year, has a 100m and 200m lifetime bests of 9:93 seconds and 20:23 seconds respectively.

Besides the above sprinters, the Kip Keino Classic media team has also confirmed Mary Moraa’s participation.

The current 800m world champion is arguably the biggest name among Kenyan female runners who will grace this year’s edition.

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Some of the other star female runners including two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, Faith Cherotich and Winfred Yavi will start their Wanda Diamond League campaign in the Xiamen leg in China.

The reigning 3000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, Sha’Carri Richardson and Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan will also compete in Xiamen.

The Xiamen Diamond League Meeting will be held on the same day the Kip Keino Classic will go down. 

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