The Ulinzi Sports Complex may be Kenya’s newest athletics theatre, but on a sunlit Saturday during the 2025 Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour, it transformed into a roaring coliseum of speed, strength, and soaring dreams.
Making its much-anticipated debut at this modern facility, the sixth edition of this event didn’t just raise the bar—it launched it sky-high.
From the rhythmic clap before the javelin release to the thunder of spikes on the backstretch, fans were treated to a masterclass in athletics.
With dozens of athletes punching their tickets to the World Championships in Tokyo, the event pulsed with raw energy, hometown pride, and world-class performances.
Brazilian Thunderbolt in Javelin
The day’s undisputed showstopper came from the javelin sector.
Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva turned heads and dropped jaws with an 86.34-meter rocket, obliterating his personal best and easily surpassing the 85.50-metre mark for Tokyo qualification.
“It’s been a great experience to come back to Kenya,” said Da Silva.
“This is my second time here, and I feel this was a good competition for me with solid series throws. This throw is an Area Record for South America. The crowd was cheering the entire time—this atmosphere pushed me. I feel I’m in the right shape for the Tokyo Championships.”
Olympic champion Thomas Röhler of Germany wasn’t far behind, registering a season-best 80.79m, while Kenya’s javelin king Julius Yego stirred the home crowd with a 78.74m throw that showed he’s still in the game.
Hurdles and Heartbeats
The men’s 400m hurdles delivered a thunderous duel that left fans breathless. Kenya’s Wiseman Were, a crowd favorite, lived up to his name by clocking a blistering personal best of 48.34 seconds—meeting the Tokyo standard and sending the stadium into a frenzy.
“I feel good with the performance. I’m a sub-47:00 athlete, though I did not achieve that today,” Were said.
“I will now sharpen on the hurdle clearance as I prepare for the Diamond League.”
Botswana’s Kemorena Tisang chased him home in 48.59, another PB that secured his world ticket.
800m: Kenya’s Turf, World’s Stage
Middle-distance races are Kenya’s bread and butter, and once again, the locals delivered a feast. In the men’s 800m, US-based Jonah Koech uncorked a stunning 1:43.32—his lifetime best and well within the World Championships qualifying time.
Right behind him was Nicholas Kiplang Kebenei, clocking an equally impressive 1:43.75.
It was a two-man exhibition of power, poise, and perfect timing.
In the women’s two-lap showdown, Lilian Odera led a trio of personal bests, clocking 1:58.31 and securing her Tokyo spot. She was followed by Botswana’s Oratile Nowe and rising Kenyan sensation Sarah Moraa.
Meanwhile, in the women’s 400m, Mercy Oketch gave the home crowd even more to cheer for, smashing the national record with a blazing performance.
“I feel happy with the time I have clocked,” said Oketch.
“I have set a new national record and snatched it from my mentor, Mary Moraa. The crowd made me feel more energized.”
Distance Grit: Steeple men
In the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, Edmund Serem showcased endurance and crowd-fueled determination.
“I competed last week in Rabat and am now at home. I’m happy that my body has picked up well and getting more race exposure,” Serem shared.
“I’m overwhelmed by how the crowd cheered me. That’s a memory I’ll always carry when I’m competing abroad.”
Sprints and Spins: Records Fall, Dreams Rise
Though the winds played havoc with sprint times, the men’s 200m still delivered fireworks. Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh dashed to a 20.40 finish, just shy of the Tokyo qualifier, while South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi, Switzerland’s William Reais, and Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten all posted promising seasonal bests.
Canada’s Duan Asemota marked a personal milestone with a 20.80 clocking—evidence of upward momentum in his season.
Field Events Highlights
Canada’s Ethan Katzberg unleashed an 82.73m hammer throw—the best in the world this year and a Tokyo qualifier.
In the women’s long jump, Brazil’s Lissandra Maysa Campos soared to a meet record 6.84m, while Egypt’s Esraa Owis caught a gust to hit a wind-assisted 6.94m.
Kenya’s shot put hopefuls, led by George Malala with a personal best of 16.66m, made strides in a discipline still gaining ground locally.
A New Home, A Renewed Spirit
This year’s Kip Keino Classic wasn’t just about performances—it was about place. The move from Nyayo Stadium to Ulinzi Sports Complex signaled a new era.
With crisp lanes, intimate stands, and a lively Nairobi crowd, the venue brought athletes and fans closer together.
Organizers dubbed the event “the unofficial launch pad to Tokyo,” and with over a dozen qualifiers and multiple meet records, that slogan now feels prophetic.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 global athletics season kicks into high gear, the Kip Keino Classic has reaffirmed its place on the calendar, not just as a stepping stone, but as a proving ground.
From youthful fire to veteran resilience, this meeting produced more than results.
It delivered stories, pride, and a reminder: Africa is not chasing the world. It’s leading it.
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Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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