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South African sprinter 'fearless' about Omanyala's challenge at Kip Keino Classic
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 29.05.25. | 15:33
The 19-year-old comes up against the two-time event champion in the 100m race on Saturday
South African sprinter Bayanda Walaza is buzzing with expectation ahead of his debut at this weekend’s Kip Keino Classic, where he is expected to match up with home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala in the 100m.
Walaza, 19, is off a 9.94 seconds performance at the Zagreb Continental Tour, which marked his personal best.
The teenager, who is the reigning double Lima 2024 World Under-20 sprint gold medallist, has enjoyed a stellar season this year, and he recently played a key role in South Africa’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, earlier this month.
Though coming up against a field set to include African record holder Omanyala, compatriot Shaun Maswanganyi and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, Walaza shows no fear.
Speaking to the event’s media team, Walaza said: “Yo, I'm so pumped! I've been watching the Kip Keino Classic for a while, and now I finally get to be part of it.
Nairobi's energy is next level, and I'm just excited to experience that vibe, feel the crowd, and give it my all."
On the challenge of facing two-time event winner Omanyala, he added: “I've got huge respect for him, he's a beast and a crowd legend.
But honestly, I don't line up to come second. I believe in my training, my team, and my God-given talent. I'm here to race fearlessly and have fun. If I execute my race, anything can happen."
For the first time since 2020, this year’s Kip Keino Classic will move out of Nyayo and Kasarani Stadium, and into a smaller facility - the 10,000-seater Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Nevertheless, Walaza and the other top international athletes who are already in Kenya do not expect anything less than deafening decibels.
"I actually feed off the noise—even if it's not for me,” he said. “It's all energy, and I turn it into fuel. But when I'm in the blocks, it's tunnel vision.”
