Fireworks expected as Mboma races her sprint idol Shelly-Ann

Four-time Olympic champion Shelly Anne Fraser-Pryce will be on the Kasarani track on Saturday as she opens her 100m season at the Kip Keino Classic.

She goes head-to-head with Olympics 200m silver medalist Christine Mboma in a repeat of the Olympics 200m where the teenage sensation clocked 22.11 for silver as the Jamaican track star finished fourth in 22.22.

Mboma is coming off a 10.97 personal best time ran last weekend while Fraser-Pryce ran 22.79 in her 2022 opener two weeks ago in Kingston but is coming off a terrific year in which she ran 10.74 or faster six times and has said she believes she can lower her 10.60 PB this year.

“It is good to have strong competitors who when it comes to racing they are not afraid to compete and raise the standards. To have her set the pace and put Africa and Namibia on the map such that the world is talking about the continent when discussing the sprints is truly wonderful.

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I am not looking at this race as a re-match. Every race is just a race for that day and moment. It is a new year and this competition gives us an opportunity to show what we are made of, what we are ready to do and how one’s training has been going. Each race offers different things. We can only come out and give our best,” said Fraser-Pryce.

Mboma knows the Kasarani track well, having raced to the World Under-20 200m title here last year as Kenya hosted the junior championship. She also helped Namibia clinch silver in the 4x100m.

“It is an honour to race against Fraser-Pryce. I grew up watching her and she inspired me a lot. She is a legend. I have nothing but respect for her. When I compete I ran my own race, focusing on self so I am not anticipating any distractions,” Mboma offered.