The inaugural Addis Ababa Grand Prix delivered a thrilling showcase of speed, endurance and rising form, with Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and American star Gabby Thomas stealing the spotlight in a meet that doubled as a key build-up to the Kip Keino Classic.
Omanyala’s performance was arguably the headline act of the day. The Kenyan finally dipped under the elusive 10-second mark, clocking an impressive 9.98 seconds to win the men’s 100m.
It was a statement run, not just because of the victory, but because it marked his first sub-10 finish since 2024. After a challenging 2025 season where he struggled to break that barrier, this performance signaled a return to top form.
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He had earlier shown promise in the semifinals with a time of 10.11 seconds, but in the final, he looked sharp, composed and dominant from the blocks to the finish line. American Christopher Borzor came in second with 10.16 seconds, while Italy’s Chituru Ali settled for third in 10.26.
Ferdinand Omanyala storms to sub-10 100m victory
On the women’s side, Gabby Thomas proved why she remains one of the most consistent sprinters on the global stage. She stormed to victory in the 100m, stopping the clock at 11.13 seconds ahead of compatriots Chante Clinkscale and Cambrea Sturgis.
However, Thomas was not done yet. She returned later to dominate the 200m, completing a brilliant double with a winning time of 22.15 seconds. Her ability to control both races underlined her readiness for the African tour and the stiff competition expected in Nairobi.
Elsewhere, the men’s 200m saw Kenya’s Samuel Chege take top honors in 20.63 seconds, edging out Zablon Ekwam and Chidi Okezie. In the 400m races, Botswana’s Justice Oratile impressed with a strong 44.92-second run to win the men’s race, while Bahrain’s Femi Adekoya claimed victory in the women’s race.
Kenya’s Mercy Chebet was one of the standout local performers, finishing second in a personal best of 51.38 seconds, a result that promises more ahead of her clash with Thomas at the Kip Keino Classic.
The middle-distance races were dominated by Ethiopian athletes, much to the delight of the home crowd. Samuel Firewu led an Ethiopian sweep in the men’s 5000m, while Adanu Gelchu took top honors in the women’s 1500m.
The 800m races were equally competitive, with Mersimoi Bekele and Nigist Getachew emerging victorious in the men’s and women’s events respectively.
Beyond the results, the event marked a historic moment for Ethiopian athletics as it hosted its first-ever one-day meet on the World Athletics Continental Tour calendar.
As attention now shifts to Nairobi, all eyes will be on Omanyala and Thomas to see if they can carry this momentum forward. For Omanyala in particular, the sub-10 run is more than just a win,it is a warning shot to his rivals and a sign that he is rediscovering the form that made him one of the fastest men in the continent and in the world