Kenya’s fastest woman Imali braces for Keino Classic

National 100m women’s record holder Maxmilah Imali is envisioning  huge potential when she faces the world’s best during the third edition of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event to be held on Saturday in Nairobi. 

The race which pits eight-time Olympic medallist and 10-time world champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaican against Tokyo Olympics 200m silver medallist Christine Mboma of Namibia and American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson among others, will start at 4.04pm. 

Also in the mix is fast-rising sprinter Beatrice Masilingi who claimed a silver medal in 100m and 200m races at the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi. 

“I guess anything is possible, my target is to meet the qualifying time of 11.24 seconds. I will be up among the very best in the world who will push me towards recording the best times,” said Imali. 

Last week, Imali set a new national record of 11.35 during the Athletics Kenya National Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre. 

“I am living my best time as a sprinter, it is nice to have a seat on the high table with the who is who in the world,” added Imali whose new mark will now await ratification by Athletics Kenya. 

Police championships

Imali is the current national holder with a time of 11.77 which she clocked in March during the National Police Service Championships. 

Besides the 100m, the women are likely to confront each other again in the 200m that will be staged at 5.22pm. 

According to meet director Barnaba Korir, the Continental Tour Gold meet will start at 12.35pm on Saturday. 

It will have 21 events – nine core, eight discretionary and four national. Javelin throw will get the action going from 12.35pm.