Omanyala Faces Stiff Competition As Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Withdraws From Kip Keino Classic

• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won't be on the starting list of the women's 100m in Nairobi
• She was expected to headline the third edition of the Kip Keino Classic on May 13
• Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala will be in action against global medalists

The Kip Keino Classic on May 13 has suffered a major setback after five-time world champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the Continental Tour Gold event with a knee injury.

Fraser-Pryce was meant to begin her season in Nairobi but unfortunately picked up an injury in training on Thursday. She has since left the country and flown to Italy for specialised treatment.

The Jamaican had jetted over to the country on Wednesday night after winning a Laureus Sports Award for the Best Female Athlete of 2023 in Paris, as reported by Sky Sports.

She has expressed her disappointment in her enforced absence as well as missing the Kip Keino Classic.

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"I was truly looking forward to [kicking] off my season at one the greatest athletic events in East Africa. I love coming to Nairobi and seeing the fans and people; there’s an unspoken energy you can’t find anywhere else," Fraser-Pryce said, as quoted by Nation.

It is the second event this year that she has pulled out of after the Botswana Grand Prix on April 29. She cited a family issue then.

With the 36-year-old out of the Saturday event, Americans Twanisha Tee Tee Terry and Teahna Daniels will battle it out for the gong. New Zealander, Zoe Hobbs - whose personal best stands at 10.97 seconds - will also be on the starting list.

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At the same time, homegrown hero, Ferdinand Omanyala will face stiff competition from Olympic 200m silver medalist, Kenny Bednarek and World 100m silver medalist, Marvin Bracy.

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Bednarek has already indicated that nothing will give him fulfilment like beating the African champion on his own home turf.

"Victory in Kenya will mean a lot to me. I know it will be a very tough competition and beating Omanyala at home will be such a tall order," he said, as quoted by Star Sports.

Omanyala, on his side, will be seeking to lower the African record of 9.77 seconds in front of his home support.

The Ministry of Sports has waived the entrance fee for the event in a bid to fill the stadium and provide an electric atmosphere.

Fraser-Pryce on racing at school

Following a video of the Jamaican flooring everyone during parents' day at her son's school, the fact that anyone decided to race against a five-time World Champion in a race is crazy.

Sports Brief previously reported that Fraser-Pryce explained why she competed, explaining it all started when one of the parents dared her to take part just two weeks before the event.