‘I intend to reach Budapest in the best shape’, Fred Kerley warns Omayala, others after Rabat 100m win
Reigning World 100m champion, Fred Kerley of the USA delievered on the big stage again, running 9.94 to set a new Rabat Diamond League record and beat a stacked field that included reigning Commonwealth Games champion and world leader, Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya.
The American stormed home first ahead of South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.97) and Omanyala who returned third in 10.05, barely two weeks after he sped to a 9.84 world lead at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.
Kerley is confident of going all the way again in Budapest like he did in Oregon in USA where he won his first global title, the 100m gold after finishing second a year earlier at the Olympics.
‘I can’t describe my happiness for winning this race and hitting the meeting record today. This is the result that I was expecting and I will keep up to achieve and reach the World Championships in the best shape ever,’ said the 28 year old after the race.
Kerley also hailed the crowd at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat for pushing him all the way.
‘ The crowd was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible especially the weather here in Rabat. I would definitely keep the same record for the next competitions.’
The race was billed to be a battle between world champion and Olympic champion, Lamont Marcel Jacobs and World Champion, Kerley but the Italian pulled out days to the meet.
‘I am forced to skip my debut in the 100m (this season) and the first confrontation this year with Kerey in Rabat, which I was very keen on. Due to a slight back blockage which I plan to resolve as soon as possible,’ Lamont Marcel Jacobs wrote on twitter.
