Kennedy breaks 10-second barrier in 100m sprint stunner

The 21-year-old Lachlan Kennedy is the first Australian to legally dip under 10 seconds since Patrick Johnson’s national record of 9.93sec in 2003.

Australia's Lachlan Kennedy reacts after winning the men's 100m event at the ABSA Kip Keino Classic – World Continental Tour Gold in Nairobi. Picture: AFP

Australian 100m sprinter Lachlan Kennedy has broken the esteemed 10-second barrier in a scorching run at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.

Kennedy stopped the clock in 9.98sec and says, “It’s so good. I can finally say I run nine.”

The 21-year-old became the first Australian to legally dip under 10 seconds since Patrick Johnson’s national record of 9.93sec in 2003.

Gout Gout twice ran 9.9sec at the Australian championships, but both performances were ruled invalid because of wind assistance.

“I was there to win today and bring it home,” Kennedy said.

“I’m super stoked to get the win and the time. 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.”

Lachlan Kennedy, second right, crosses the finish line ahead of South Africa's Bayanda Walaza and Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala. Picture: AFP

The Queenslander won the event ahead of South Africa’s Olympic medallist Bayanda Walaza (10.03sec) and Kenya’s hometown favourite Ferdinand Omanyala (10.07sec) to put himself in the frame for a medal at this year’s world championships at Tokyo.

Lachlan Kennedy poses next to his time after breaking the 10-second barrier. Picture: AFP

“The crowd was nuts out there,” he said after the race was delayed by a disqualification for a false start.

“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.

“I was pretty confident. I didn’t think a nine 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.”

Kennedy’s next event will be another 200m showdown with Gout at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic on June 24.

His breakthrough victory this season was beating Gout in front of a packed Melbourne crowd in the Peter Norman Memorial 200m at the Maurie Plant Meet in March.