Fred Kerley reacts to looming clash with Tebogo, Omanyala at Kip Keino Classic

Fred Kerley

Fred Kerley reacts to looming clash with Tebogo, Omanyala at Kip Keino Classic

Joel Omotto 08:00 - 03.04.2024

Former 100m world champion Fred Kerley has confirmed when he will run next with Kip Keino Classic and Xiamen Diamond League both scheduled on the same day.

Former 100m world champion Fred Kerley has distanced himself from a poster that suggested he is set to feature in the Kip Keino Classic this month.

The Kip Keino Classic is slated to take place on April 20 at Nyayo Stadium and has already attracted home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala and Botswana sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo and it seemed like Kerley had been added to the list when a poster with his image went round social media from the event organisers.

However, Kerley who has already been confirmed for the Diamond League opener in Xiamen, China on the same day, was quick to dismiss it, insisting he is committed to the race in the Asian nation.

“This is false I be in China,” Kerley said on social media while responding to a fan who had welcomed him to Nairobi.

The men’s 100m in Xiamen will feature a clash between sprint superpowers USA and Jamaica, with the US charge led by Kerley and Christian Coleman, who will be keen to get one over on Jamaican rivals such as Yohan Blake, the former world 100m champion and Olympic silver medallist; Ackeem Blake, who recently won world indoor 60m bronze; and Rohan Watson, who won the Jamaican title last year in 9.91.

Coleman claimed the world indoor title early in March and will want to make his mark outdoors while Kerley is looking for good tidings in 2024 after failing to defend his 100m world title last year as he gears up for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Omanyala and Tebogo will clash in Nairobi with the African record in danger given the scintillating form of the 20-year-old.

Tebogo will arrive in Nairobi on the back of impressive performances in 2024, having run a world lead 19.94 in 200m at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix in Johannesburg, South Africa as well as lowering his personal best in 400m by running 44.29 in Pretoria a fortnight ago.

He also shattered the 300m world record in February, clocking an astonishing 30.69 at the Simbine Curro Classic.

Omanyala holds the African record of 9.77, clocked at the 2021 Kip Keino Classic, when he finished second, and having won the last two titles on home soil, he is looking to complete a hat-trick.

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