Kip Keino Classic 2025: Star Power and Showdowns Across Disciplines in Nairobi
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The 2025 Kip Keino Classic is set to light up the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday, May 31, with a world-class cast of Olympic and World champions. Leading the charge are Canadian hammer throw sensations Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers, alongside sprint stars Bayanda Walaza and local hero Ferdinand Omanyala. This World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting will feature explosive track events and thrilling field duels, promising fans an unforgettable afternoon of elite athletics at altitude.
Men’s Hammer Throw
Reigning Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg of Canada headlines the field after throwing a stunning 84.38m in Nairobi last year to enter the all-time top 10. The world champion from Budapest 2023 has already reached 81.22m this season in Halle. He’ll be challenged by African record holder Mostafa El Gamel (EGY), Dutch national record-holder Denzel Comenentia (79.09m), and Croatia’s Matija Greguric.
Women’s Hammer Throw
Olympic and world champion Camryn Rogers (CAN) arrives in top form with a season’s best of 78.14m. She’ll battle Poland’s hammer legend Anita Włodarczyk, US silver medallist Janee Kassanavoid (76.42m SB), and rising star Nova Kikienast (17, European U18 champ).
Men’s 100 Metres
South African phenom Bayanda Walaza, who clocked 9.94 in Zagreb, returns after a stellar season that includes a world U20 double gold and Olympic silver in the relay. He faces Kenyan sprint king Ferdinand Omanyala, who ran 9.77 here in 2021, and rising talents like Sinespho Dambile, Lachlan Kennedy, and 10.01 man Shawn Maswanganyi.
Men’s 200 Metres
Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh, a 2024 Olympic finalist and national record holder (19.83), headlines a stacked field. He’ll be challenged by Maswanganyi, Australia’s Caleb Law, and American speedster Elijah Hall.
Women’s 100 Metres
US sprinter Shannon Ray returns to Nairobi after her third-place finish in the 200m in 2023. She’ll face Liberia’s Maia McCoy (11.06 SB), Destiny Smith Barnett, and Egyptian 400m record holder Bassant Hemida.
Men’s Javelin Throw
World champion Anderson Peters (GRN) returns with a season best of 85.64m. Kenya’s Julius Yego, Germany’s Olympic champ Thomas Röhler, US Trials winner Curtis Thompson (87.78m PB), and defending Nairobi champion Timothy Herman are also in the mix.
Men’s 800 Metres
African Games champion Aaron Kemei Cheminingwa (1:42.08 PB) headlines a deep Kenyan field including Noah Kibet, Ngeno Kipngetich, Tumo Nkape, and Nicholas Kebenei.
Women’s 800 Metres
St. Vincent’s Shafiqua Maloney (1:58.00 SB) and Kenya’s Sarah Moraa lead the women’s two-lap race, joined by Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (1:58.96 NR) and several continental medallists.
Men’s 1500 Metres
Doha Diamond League 5000m winner Reynold Cheruiyot meets Tokyo finalist Abel Kipsang, Ayanleh Abdi Abdillahi, and local stars Daniel Munguti and Vincent Kibet.
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase
Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott squares off against Edmund Serem, Kenya’s 17-year-old world U20 champion, who already boasts sub-8:10 marks this season.
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Commonwealth champion Jackline Chepkoech headlines a strong field featuring Loice Chepkemwoi (UGA), Diana Chepkemwoi, Meseret Yeshaneh, and Carren Kibet.
Women’s 1500 Metres
Kenya’s Purity Chepkurui leads the field against Ethiopia’s Axumawit Embaye, Uganda’s Knight Aciru, Ethiopia’s Hawi Abera Kumsa, and Lilian Odira.
Men’s 5000 Metres
Kenya’s Stanley Waithaka, world silver medallist over 10,000m, will face Ethiopia’s Zenebe Ayele and Hailemaryam Amare, a former African double champion.
Women’s 5000 Metres
Uganda’s teenage star Charity Cherop goes head-to-head with compatriot Joy Cheptoyek, Kenya’s Cynthia Chepkurui, Miriam Chebet, and Ethiopia’s Shimket Yenenesh and Tsiyon Temesgen Abebe.
Women’s 400m Hurdles
Norway’s Amalie Iuel, fresh off her Zagreb win (55.06), is the favorite against Daniela Ledecka, Jessica Wright (55.78 PB), and Eilen Demes.
Men’s 400 Metres
Nigerian Chidi Okezie (44.97 PB) faces World Relay winner Zakhiti Nene (44.22), Australia’s Cooper Sherman, and Joao Coelho (POR), fourth at World Indoors.
Women’s Long Jump
Germany’s Marise Luzolo, Egypt’s Esraa Owis, African medallist Danielle Nolte, and Rougui Sow round out the field in the women’s horizontal jump.
With Olympic medallists, rising teenage stars, and continental champions across every event, the 2025 Kip Keino Classic once again proves itself as one of the most exciting stops on the global athletics calendar.
