2026 Kip Keino Flash Quotes
"I am targeting the World Under-20 Championships ticket during next month’s trials. I have loved the competition, though I was slow at the start. I hope by the time I come for the trials; we shall have worked on a few technicalities."
- Nancy Kibet - Women's U20 800m winner
"It feels good to win my first race at this event. I am so happy. My target now is to make the World Under-20 Championships team. I believe in myself and this win has really boosted my confidence ahead of the trials. If I make the cut, that will be a dream come true."
- Brian Kandie - Men’s U20 3,000m steeplechase winner
"Coming into this race, I was unsure about how I would handle it. After a few laps, I felt comfortable taking the lead and I’m glad to have won. The World Cross Country Championships helped me a lot in terms of building up for the track season. I want to go and train hard and hopefully represent my country once again at the World Under-20 Championships."
- Emmanuel Lemiso - Men’s U20 3,000m winner
"This was my first gold level event and I’m happy for the warm welcome I received. Coming here (as a world leader), I just wanted to prove myself and compete alongside my mentors, Julius Yego and Thomas Roehler. I want to inspire young kids in Sri Lanka by showing them that anything is possible if they put their minds to it."
- Rumesh Tharanga (SRI) - Men's javelin winner
"I feel good…this being my first competitive event of the season, I am happy with the results especially after the injury last year, I’m happy to be back. My rhythm is poor and that’s what I need to work on for consistency. Right now, my target is the Africa Senior Championship next month."
- Julius Yego (KEN) - Men's javelin fourth place
"I started low at first. I was struggling, but I thank God. I am happy with the win, yes, but 16.22m is not my best. My target now is Nationals to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, which is 18.65m.”
- George Malala (KEN) - Men's Shot Put
"I am happy to have won today. I am planning for Accra next month. I thank God for good health. This is just a start, and as I progress, I will work on my time for greater opportunities overseas.”
- Rotich Kipkorir - 400m Hurdles Men winner
"The race was nice. I'm satisfied with the second position because I improved from third in the last edition. I feel motivated for finishing second because I was the oldest in the field. I want to thank the fans for turning up and cheering. The vibe was good.”
- Edward Ngunjiri - 400m Hurdles Men second place
"It feels good to win my first race at the Kip Keino Classic. I am so happy. My target now is to make the World Juniors team.”
- Brian Kandie - U20 Men's 3,000m steeplechase
"I did not expect the victory today. I was a bit nervous and was slow at the start of the race. I shall be targeting a ticket for the World Under-20 Championships in August in America. I am looking forward to getting the ticket during the trials for Team Kenya next month.”
- Nancy Kibet - U20 Women’s 800m
"I did not expect the victory today. I was a bit nervous and was slow at the start of the race. I shall be targeting a ticket for the World Under-20 ChampionshI started low at first. I was struggling, but I thank God. I am happy with the 16.22m victory, though that is not my best. My target now is Nationals to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, which is 18.65m.”
- George Malala - Shot Put
"It’s been amazing a meet record, and I’m satisfied. It is my second time here, and if you guys have me back next year, I’ll be excited. The atmosphere has been exciting for sure. I’m focusing on the Commonwealth Games; that’s my main event of the year. I’m also excited about the Diamond League and other meets throughout the season.”
- Camryn Rogers (CAN) - Hammer Throw winner
"I love the Kip Keino Classic, amazing track, amazing atmosphere, and it’s so much fun coming out here. The spectators always come out and put on a show. I have clocked a personal best, and I’m extremely happy to have peaked early this season.”
- Amelie Iuel (NOR) - Women’s 400m Hurdles winner
"I was tense lining up against very strong women like Gabby Thomas. I was under a lot of pressure and that dictated how my race would go. I'm not satisfied with my time because I hoped to run a little bit faster, even though it’s a season best.”
- Millicent Ndoro (KEN) - Women’s 100m
"The altitude was a little bit heavy. I executed my race as planned, but my knees gave in in the last 30m. It was a nice race though, and I plan to return for the Kip Keino Classic.”
- Cambrea Sturgis (USA) - Women’s 100m (second place)
"I came here to test my body and I'm happy with the performance. I look forward to a better season this year. The huge number of fans who turned up motivated me. They were like pace-setters for us.”
- Mirriam Cherop - Women’s 1,500m winner
"Kenya is improving in athletics and in the first two laps, the wavelight helped me a lot. There is time for everything, and I would love to tell all the dreamers to keep working hard. I ran this 1500m for endurance, but my focus for the season is to run the 800m, and to run very fast.”
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi - Men’s 1,500m winner
"We knew it would be a tough race depending on the athletes on the start list. The 800m guy (Wanyonyi) was going to push the pace and he did it. Nobody challenged him, so I tried but couldn’t beat him. However, I feel great finishing second. It is still early in the season, so I will go back to training and fine-tune ahead of the Diamond League season.”
- Reynold Cheruiyot - Men’s 1,500m (second place)
"Today’s race had a lot of tension because we knew anyone could win, but we thank God for the performance. Emmanuel Wanyonyi is a good challenge because we are always together in cross country and we've been helping each other and pushing each other. From here, I'll head to the Diamond League circuit, hopefully opening up in Xiamen in the 3000m to test my speed endurance.”
- Daniel Munguti (KEN) - Men’s 1,500m (third place)
"It feels great to run a sub-20 seconds race. It’s been a long time coming. My consistency has been showing back in South Africa. This is the track I ran my first race as a professional, and I had to come and do it again. I knew I had it (19.77) in me and it was just a matter of time. However, I was not chasing the time — I just wanted the win.”
- Sinesipho Dambile (SA) - Men’s 200m winner
"There’s a lot of work to be done this season. However, running under 20 seconds is a big win for me. I enjoyed racing under the floodlights for the first time in Kenya. The last time I was here (the 2021 World Under-20 Championships), we competed during the day. My focus is now on the Commonwealth Games. I will put in the work in the trials and see how things go.”
- Bryan Levell (JAM) - Men’s 200m (second place)
"This was my first race of the season. I didn’t even run at the national championships last week. When I got the invite for the Kip Keino Classic, I knew I had to patch up and come out here. It's always a vibe, the home of African running, so I had to come and give the fans a show. I was fighting for dear life in the last 100m against Samukonga. I was hoping he doesn’t catch me. I knew he has the kick.”
- Nene Zakithi (SA) - Men’s 400m winner
"I think the high altitude affected me. Losing on the line against Nene is not a reason to worry. We are just starting the season.”
- Muzala Samukonga (ZAM) - Men’s 400m (second place)
"I was thinking of running 44 seconds and I'm glad to have managed that. My body is doing great and I'm happy with the outcome of this race. Running under floodlights has been amazing, but it did not make any major difference to my performance. I'm looking forward to what this season has in store for me.”
- Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui (KEN) - Men’s 400m (third place)
"I’m home! I enjoyed the race. The altitude was much better than what I experienced last week in Ethiopia. I loved the crowds, I mean, my first time in Africa has been so much fun. Right now, my focus is to stay consistent and focused and make sure that I maintain the momentum throughout the season. I'm going to be back for sure.”
- Paris Peoples (USA) - Women’s 400m (second place)
"I’m happy with the win on my second appearance here in Kenya. The competition was tough, and beating Kenyans on their home soil is the icing on the cake. I'm sure we shall meet at the Africa Championships, and I want to warn them that I will beat them again.”
- Gemechu Godana (ETH) - Men’s 3,000m steeplechase winner
"It was great. Honestly, it's a really nice place where you can compete. I am happy with my times. It’s incredible for me to win the 100m and 200m. You cannot control the conditions in sport. The goal is to keep winning. Focus on winning and the times will come.”
- Gabby Thomas (USA) - Women’s 200m winner
"It was great. Honestly, it's a really nice place where you can compete. I am happy with my times. It’s incredible for me to win the 100m and 200m. You cannot control the conditions in sport. The goal is to keep winning. Focus on winning and the times will come.”
- Cambrea Sturgis (USA) - Women’s 200m (second place)
"My tactics worked perfectly. I kicked at the right time and went all the way. I came here to win and I'm happy. Actually, Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s win in the 800m inspired me to win this race.”
- Kelvin Kimutai Loti - Men’s 800m winner
"This is my first Gold meet and I'm putting in the work to get noticed. My goal was to win but I’ll take second today. I know the home fans were backing Ferdinand Omanyala, and going into the race I knew if I stuck with him, I would get something good. I want to stay composed for the rest of the season and I'm heading to the Simbine Classic. I hope I can maintain the momentum and win.”
- Rivaldo Roberts (RSA) - Men’s 100m (second place)
“I am so excited. It’s been two years since I last won the Kip Keino Classic. The moment I got to 90 metres, I knew I had it, and I knew it was fast. I couldn’t hold my excitement; my hands just went wide.
I want to appreciate Dan Ayiemba (Coach Dan) for what he has done and for being on my side.
At the warm-up track, I was a bit nervous, but once I stepped onto the track, the fans gave me joy. That eased my anxiety and I knew I had to give them a show.”
- Ferdinand Omanyala - Men’s 100m winner
