Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy breaks 10-sec barrier in Men’s 100m

Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy has sensationally broken the 10-second barrier in the Men’s 100m, cementing his growing reputation as one of the fastest people on Earth.

Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy has sensationally broken the elusive 10-second barrier in the Men’s 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kennedy, 21, stormed to victory in 9.98-seconds (-0.7), becoming the first to achieve the feat since Patrick Johnson’s 9.93 Australian record in 2003 and reaching a milestone long dominated by sprinters from North America and the Caribbean.

Kennedy came from behind to beat Bayanda Wazala of South Africa and Kenya’s African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala into second and third positions respectively in Nairobi.

“As soon as I saw the 9.98 I was thrilled, the feeling was so surreal. I couldn’t believe it,” said an ecstatic Kennedy, who in January ran a world-leading 6.45sec in the 60m in Canberra.

Kennedy is one half of an exciting duo of young Australian sprinters, led by the 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout.

“I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time,” Kennedy said.

“It’s so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven’t wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually.

Watch Lachlan Kennedy’s run in the video above

Australia's Lachlan Kennedy poses next to his time. He’s just the second Aussie to run the 100m in less than 10 seconds. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)

“The crowd was nuts out there. I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today,” Kennedy said.

“I didn’t think a 9 was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.

“I’m getting better with every race. It’s an advantage to have a long season at home. I’m not getting tired, so I’m looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships.”

Australia's Lachlan Kennedy reacts after winning the Men's 100m event at the ABSA Kip Keino Classic – World Continental Tour Gold in Nairobi on May 31, 2025. Picture: Tony Karumba / AFP.

Walaza, 19, who will hope to make his mark for South Africa in this summer’s World Championships in Tokyo, timed 10.03sec in second and said he was picking up experience all the time.

“I am still getting my way into the 100m. I am learning from these people, including Akani (Simbine) and Omanyala, who are my mentors,” he said.

Earlier South Africa’s Zakithi Nene recorded the fastest time in the world over 400m with a sparkling personal best of 43.76sec, beating Nigerian Chidi Okezi (44.89sec) into second place.

The 27-year-old Nene, who previous best was 44.22sec at the South African championships in April, made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to American Jacory Patterson at the Rabat Diamond League last weekend.

Australia's Lachlan Kennedy (R) charges to the finish line ahead of South Africa's Bayanda Walaza (2R) and Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala (2L). Picture: Tony Karumba / AFP.

Australia's Lachlan Kennedy (2R) crosses the finish line in the Men's 100m event at the ABSA Kip Keino Classic – World Continental Tour Gold in Nairobi on May 31, 2025. Picture: Tony Karumba / AFP.

Kenyan-born Jonah Koech, competing for the United States, upstaged his former compatriots to win the 800m in a personal best 1min 43.32sec.

It was Koech’s second track victory in a week after his shock maiden Diamond League victory in the 1500m in Rabat.

Trinidadian two-time world javelin champion Andersen Peters’ hopes of winning his first Kip Keino title were shattered when he finished seventh with a disappointing 77.49m.

Brazilian Luiz Mauricio da Silva dominated the event with a new personal best of 86.34m to finish ahead of Germany’s former Olympic champion Thomas Rohler (80.79).

Reigning Olympic hammer champion Ethan Katzberg continued his great form when the Canadian threw 82.73m to record his best performance of the year so far.

Kennedy will next run at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic on June 24 where he’ll take on Gout Gout in the 200m, before travelling to the USA for the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic on July 5.

- With AFP

Originally published as Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy breaks 10-sec barrier in Men’s 100m