Page 30 - People Daily Newspaper

30 PEOPLE SPORT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, September 20, 2021

can and Kenyan record
Omanyala’s new Afri-
set at Kip Keino Classic.

American Kerley targeting sub-43
seconds in 400 metres next season
Kerley timed 19.76 seconds, which
by Amos Abuga is the fastest time to be run on Kenyan
@PeopleDailyKe soil to triumph.
Makwala clocked 20.06 to settle sec-
Olympic 100m silver medallist Fred ond as Filipo Tortu from Italy came in
Kerley is aiming to run under 43 sec- third in 20.11.
onds in 400m which should make him “It feels great to set personal best in
the world record holder. Kenya and at altitude. It feels like noth-
Having joined the elite company in ing happened,” said Kerley.
the so-called sub-10s, 20s and 44s club, He described his season as fantastic
he feels 2022 will be his year. having won silver in Tokyo as well as
“I want to be the fastest in the one winning the Diamond League.
[100m], the two [200m] and the four “Winding up my season with victory
[400m].” said Kerley. at motherland Africa is a blessing. It’s 2PDQ\DOD
Currently ranked eighth overall in even more humbling this being my first
400m with 43.64, he wants to assault time in Africa. I will definitely want to
South African Wayde van Niekerk’s re- come back as I try to run better times,”
cord of 43.03. he concluded.
“I will go strong in all three events Makwala said he was surprised to
because I feel I can go faster in each of have finished second and attain next GUHDPV RI
the races. I will definitely attempt sub- year’s World Athletics Championships
43,” he declared. qualifying times.
On Saturday the American ran a “I felt like my body was tired com-
personal best after holding off Isaac ing here but I am surprised to post
Makwala from Botswana to win the that fabulous one time to qualify for JOREDO WLWOH
men’s 200m during the Absa Kip Keino the World Championships, “ said
Classic at the Kasarani Stadium in Makwala.
Nairobi.
Sprinter hungry for more after
&KHVSRO SORWWLQJ VXFFHVV LQ impressive run Saturday
ZRUOG FKDPSLRQVKLSV Abuga come from me.”
by Amos
Omanyala said setting new African
@PeopleDai- and Kenyan records will sink in days
by Amos Abuga tough to take but I have to remain fo- lyKe later.
@PeopleDailyKe cused and fight for the next world cham- “It’s a good thing and I thank God for
pionships,” she said. Ferdinand it, it’s by God’s grace.”
Former World U20 champion Celli- In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Ke- Omanyala says com- Omanyala said closing the season on
phine Chespol has set her eyes on the nyans were once again humbled, by a ing second in 100m a high means a lot to him.
2022 World Championships. familiar foe. during the Kip Keino It will be my dream to translate my
This is after she clocked 9:30.55 to Olympic champion Soufiane El Bak- Classic in Nairobi Satur- record to something more tangible - a
beat an experienced field to win the kali of Morocco clocked 8:21.20 to win day is the greatest perfor- world silverware,” he said.
women’s women’s 3000m steeplechase the competition with Abraham Kibiwot mance of career so far. Omanyala on Saturday evening
during the Kip Keino Classic at Kasarani finishing second in 8.22.33. Even with that, he says he clocked 9.77s to break Kenya’s 100m
Stadium on Saturday afternoon. “I’m proud to beat Kenyans at home. will have to improve on his starts if National record at the Kip Keino Clas-
“It was tough fighting to get fit,” said To beat them in the home of steeple- he is to achieve more. sic at the Moi International Sports Cen-
Chespol. “Now I am glad to be back on chase is such an amazing achievement,” Translating his records to a global tre, Kasarani.
the track and enjoying what I like do- said Bakkali. accolade now remains Omanyala’s American Trayvon Bromwel won
ing. Missing the Olympics was honestly
top agenda going to the World Ath- the race in 9.76 with former Olympics
letics Championships set for Eugene, 100m champion Justin Gatlin finishing
Oregon, as well as the Commonwealth third in 10.02.
Games in Birmingham, both next year. Omanyala also smashed South Af-
We can achieve everything we set rican Akani Simbine’s record of 9.84
out to do,” Omanyala said. “It takes seconds.
time, it takes patience, dedication, ef- Justin Gatlin was among the first
fort to get to this level.” people to pay tribute to Omanyala for
“I felt like I could go faster. I sprained his stellar performance.
my groin at the warm-up area so I “He used the hometown support re-
wasn’t sure if I was going to run fast, ally well. I believe Omanyala will be a
but I am happy it behaved. force to reckon with,” he said.
“There is still much much more to
Ferdinand Omanyala and Bromell Trayvon of United States in action during
the men’s 100m race of the Kip Keino Classic at the Kasaramni stadium on
September 18, 2021 in Nairobi. PD/ ALEX NJUE
Celliphine Chespol (left) in action during the women’s 3000m steeplechase finals
at the Kasarani stadium on Saturday. PD/DAVID NDOLO