‘I’m impressed’
Fraser-Pryce happy with fast time, Kenyan hospitality after 10.67 opener
Published:Sunday | May 8, 2022 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s first competitive meet in Kenya proved to be a memorable one as she sent a strong message to the rest of the field of her intent to become a five-time World 100m champion this summer.
The multiple Olympic and World champion stormed to victory in a new world-leading time of 10.67 seconds in her first 100m race of the season at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.
Egypt’s Bassant Hemida was second, clocking 11.02, while America’s Shannon Ray was third in 11.33.
With the absence of American Sha’Carri Richardson from the field, Fraser-Pryce went head-to-head with World Under-20 200m champion and Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma. Mboma was chasing up to 50 metres but pulled up with an injury and did not finish the race.
Fraser-Pryce had indicated that the strong field would give her added motivation to come out firing, with ambitions of running 10.5 this season. Her prediction came true as she was pleased with her 100m opener and the reception that she received at the Kasarani Stadium.
“The atmosphere was perfect and I’m so happy to have run well in this race as I start my season in the 100m,” Fraser-Pryce said
FANTASTIC FANS
“The fans were just fantastic and this motivated me to do even better and return here.”
The last time that Fraser-Pryce opened an outdoor 100m season with a sub-11 time was in 2011 when she ran 10.95 in Oregon with a positive 2.0 wind.
Fraser-Pryce said that she has been thankful for the warm welcome during her stay in Kenya as well.
“I love the hospitality I have received. I’m impressed with the season best at a high altitude,” Fraser-Pryce said.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Kimberly Williamson finished fourth in the women’s high jump, with a height of 1.88m, a new season’s best. Kateryna Tabasnyk of Urkaine pipped her for third place, clearing the same height with an earlier jump.
The event was won by Great Britain’s Laura Zialor, who cleared 1.91, the same as second placed Ukraine’s Oksana Okuneva.
In the men’s 100m, Kenya Ferdinand Omanyala wowed the home crowd by setting a new world-leading time of 9.85 for victory, upsetting Olympic silver medallist Fred Kerley of the United States who was second in a season’s best of 9.92.
The Olympic champion, Marcell Jacobs of Italy pulled out of the race at the last minute because of “intestinal problems” which occurred on Friday according to the Italian Athletics Federation. The announcement was posted hours before the race.