NAIROBI, KENYA, April 20 — Training partners Courtney Lindsey and Kenny Bednarek made a big impression at the Nairobi stop on WA’s Continental Tour. Running in the helpful 1662m altitude (mile-high territory) at the Kip Keino Classic, the two won the 200 and 100 respectively against fierce competition.
First Lindsey lined up against heavily favored Letsile Tebogo. The Botswanan, in lane 6, never could make up the stagger on the American in 7. On the homestretch he finally managed to narrow the gap and at the line they appeared even. The camera gave the nod to the Texas Tech alum, who won the NCAA 100 last year. It also gave both him and Tebogo a share of the world lead at 19.71 (-1.5 wind). For Lindsey, it was a PR by 0.14.
The 100 — the meet’s final event — featured a showdown between Bednarek in 4 and Budapest 100 finalist Ferdinand Omanyala in 5. Instead, it was Liberia’s Emmanuel Matadi who put the pressure on. The Minnesota State alum, in lane 3, got out best and held the lead until Bednarek tagged him with 20m left. Bednarek’s 9.91 with a 2.2 wind was his No. 2 time ever, all-conditions. Matadi finished in 9.99 and Omanyala was back in 5th (10.03).
“I’m very happy with my performance,” said Bednarek. “I’ve been training a lot and working hard.”
Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori, who trains with Tebogo, cut more than a second off his season best with a 44.10 over one lap. That was more than enough to stay ahead of Bryce Deadmon’s 44.43.
As one would expect in Kenya, the distances required some fast winning times, with world leaders in the 800 (Emmanuel Wanyonyi 1:43.57), 1500 (Raynold Kipkorir 3:31.96) and steeple (Abraham Kibiwot 8:20.54).
In her first 2-lapper since Budapest, Mary Moraa took the 800 in 1:57.96, after following the rabbiting of her younger sister Sarah, who passed 400 in 55.67.
World hammer champ Ethan Katzberg whirled a monster 276-10 (84.38), the longest throw in the world in the last 16 years. The Canadian had five fair throws — all beyond his old PR — and closed with a 273-2 (83.26). Janee’ Kassanavoid took the women’s hammer with a 249-3 (75.99).
KEINO CLASSIC MEN’S RESULTS
100(2.2): 1. Kenny Bednarek (US) 9.91w; 2. Emmanuel Matadi (Lbr) 9.99w; 3. Jeremiah Azu (GB) 10.00w; 4. Chituru Ali (Ita) 10.01w; 5. Ferdinand Omanyala (Ken) 10.03w.
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