Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce set a new world record leading time in the 100 metres when she clocked 10.68 at Kasarani stadium, Nairobi.
The event was highly anticipated and when the sprinters jogged out of the dugout, the stadium erupted in joy, the adrenaline was clearly there.
The battle beforehand was supposed to be one between Pryce,35, and Namibian princess Christine Mboma.
Kenya’s record holder Maximmilia Imali was cheered along as she made her way to lane 8 of the race.
“After all this time I thank all those who have been asking me to come and to be able to come here and have the crowd cheer at me gave me extra motivation,” Pryce said after winning the race.
The pre race presser held on Thursday brought two athletes from different generations who wanted to prove a point and leave a mark in Nairobi. For Christine Mboma, this was a race she savored, a race she wanted to win so badly and probably emulate her mentor, a nine-time world champion, a double Olympic champion and an icon in all standards.
When the gun went off, Pryce sprung off the blocks in blistering pace, cheered on by the almost full to capacity Kasarani Stadium with Mboma hot on pursuit. Just before the tape, Mboma fell down in reeling pain, clutching her hamstring, signaling the end of the fairy tale.
Bassant Hemida of Egypt set a personal best of 11.02 to finish second with Shannon Ray (11.33) came in third. Kenyan champion Imali settled for seventh place.
