Lachlan Kennedy became the first Australian sprinter in more than two decades to legally run the 100 metres in under 10 seconds.
Kennedy clocked an impressive 9.98 seconds to win the sprint event at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday.
Kennedy’s achievement places him alongside Patrick Johnson, who remains the national record holder with a time of 9.93 seconds set in 2003.
This is the first legal sub-10-second run by an Australian since Johnson’s record-breaking performance nearly 22 years ago.
“I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time,” Kennedy said after the race.
“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.”
Kennedy has been engaged in a fierce rivalry with teenage sprinter Gout Gout, who has also recorded a wind-assisted sub-10-second time but has yet to achieve the milestone legally. Kennedy previously ran a legal 10.00 seconds in the heats of the Australian championships in Perth.
The 21-year-old said he feels stronger with each race.
“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.”
