Addis Ababa Grand Prix: Ferdinand Omanyala Goes Sub-10 as Gabby Thomas Secures Double Victory

Ferdinand Omanyala, Justice Oratile and Gabby Thomas were among the standout performers at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Ethiopia on Saturday, April 18.

With the Kip Keino Classic set for April 24, the World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level meet served as a key preparatory outing for top stars like Omanyala and Thomas ahead of the upcoming Gold-level event.

Ferdinand Omanyala dominated the men’s 100m, finally getting his first sub-10 performance since 2024. Ferdinand Omanyala struggled to make a mark in 2025, failing to go under 10 seconds in his core event.

The reigning Commonwealth Games champion clocked 9.98 seconds ahead of American Christopher Borzor who came in second in 10.16 seconds. Italy’s Chituru Ali rounded up the podium in a time of 10.26 seconds.

In the women’s race, American Gabby Thomas was impressive as she stopped the clock at 11.13 seconds ahead of American Chante Clinkscale who finished in a time of 11.34 seconds. Cambrea Sturgis finished third in 11.36 seconds.

In the men’s 200m, Samuel Chege claimed victory in 20.63 seconds, with Zablon Ekwam finishing second in 20.85, while Chidi Okezie secured third place in 20.92.

Gabby Thomas completed a double triumph in Addis Ababa, winning the 200m in 22.15 seconds ahead of Cambrea Sturgis, who finished second in 22.42 seconds, while Maia McCoy took third in 22.96 seconds

The first event of the day was the women’s 100m hurdles, where American Jabreeah Jones claimed top honours in a time of 13.14 seconds ahead of Olympic silver medallist Cyrena Samba-Mayela who had a great start off the blocks but struggled to maintain the pace.

The French-woman clocked a time of 13.65 seconds as home talent Alemu Asefa rounded up the podium in a time of 13.99 seconds.

In the men’s 110m hurdles, Eric Edwards of the US claimed the win in 13.61 seconds as Youssef Badawy from Egypt came in second in a time of 13.76 seconds. Nigeria’s Wisdom Musa finished third in 14.34 seconds.

Bahrain's Femi Adekoya claimed top honours in the women's 400m final as Kenya's Mercy Chebet finished second in a personal best time of 51.38 seconds. Oken Patience George of Nigeria completed the podium in the race.

Mercy Chebet is scheduled to line up against triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas at the Kip Keino Classic on Friday, April 24.

In the men’s race, Botswana’s Justice Oratile claimed the win in 44.92 seconds ahead of home talent Gnang Ruathdeel who came from behind to clock an impressive time of 45.53 seconds. Samson Nathaniel of Nigeria rounded up the podium in a time of 45.89.

The men’s 5000m saw Ethiopians shine as Samuel Firewu took the win in an impressive time of 13:46.09 as Jemberu Misganaw finished second in a time of 13:46.84 with another Ethiopian, Yibeltal Tilahun, completing the podium in a time of 13:46.96.

The women’s 1500m saw Ethiopian women dominate once again, with youngster Adanu Gelchu crossing the finish line first in a time of 4:16.04.

The duo of Alem Kesanet and Dahdi Danbobi finished second and third in respective times of 4:17.21 and 4:18.28.

The men’s 800m final was very tactical, with Mersimoi Bekele claiming the win in 1:47.52. Abebe Abdi crossed the finish line in second-place in a time of 1:48.09. Biruk Terefe rounded up the podium in the race, clocking 1:48.09. Former Olympic silver and world bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich of Kenya crossed the finish line in fourth-place.

The women’s race was competitive as well, with Nigist Getachew walking away with the win after battling tough opposition. The Ethiopian clocked 2:01.65 ahead of her compatriots, Msgana Zemedkun and Habtam Alehegn who finished second and third in respective times of 2:02.74 and 2:03.54.

Bianca Stubler claimed victory in the women’s 400m hurdles in 55.76 seconds, finishing ahead of Ashley Miller and Banchayehu Gallo, who placed second and third in 56.30 and 57.05 seconds respectively.