Giants clash at Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour at Kasarani
National 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and two-time world champion Justin Gatlin have both promised fireworks at Saturday’s Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour at Kasarani Stadium.
The duo made the remarks during a joint press conference on Friday ahead of the much awaited Tour.
Both promised to end the season with a huge statement, Gatlin anxious to reward his huge fan base in the country while Omanyala is counting on ground advantage to register good times.
“I am ready for the event. I have had a very good exposure this season having competed at the Olympics and Diamond League. I am hoping all goes well tomorrow and that I can break a record at Kasarani,” said Ferdinand Omanyala.
Omanyala has been in sublime form this year having reached the semi-final stage at the Tokyo Olympics and later becoming the first Kenyan to run 100m in under-10 seconds when he set a new national record of 9.86 seconds last month.
The 25-year-old made his debut at the Diamond League series in Brussels last week where he placed fourth in 10.02 seconds.
Gatlin who arrived in the country on Thursday morning said he was overwhelmed by the love he has received in Kenya in his first visit.
“It is such a delight to know that I have so many fans in Kenya. Tomorrow I want to put in a good show for them in my final race of the season,” he said
The 2004 Olympic champion early on was at the Nairobi National Park to sample what the country’s national park has to offer.
“My anticipation was fulfilled, I was lucky to see the animals the most of the big five, it was such a good morning for me before the big race tomorrow,” he said.
2015 world bronze medallist Trayvon Bromell also of USA who has a world leading time of 9.77 seconds is also in a star-studded line up in the event that will be held in Kasarani Stadium.
Others are the US pair of Tyree King and Mike Rodgers as well as the French pair of Mouhamadou Fall and Amaury Gortin and Nigeria’s Jeremiah Ogheneruemu.
