Olympic champion Jacobs ready for Kerley, Omanyala tests

Olympic 100m champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy is keen to leave a mark when he competes for the first time on African soil this Saturday at the Kip Keino Classic.

A mouthwatering contest is expected in the men's 100m race as Jacobs renews rivalry with Olympic silver medallist Fred Kerley of  the USA, a race that has been touted a rematch of the Olympic battle.

The race will be the first of the three races the two on-form sprinters will collide as athletics outdoor season takes shape.

"Yes, I know it is a rematch and it is very important for me to try and win this race. I hope to run fast times I know the track is really fast," Jacobs said upon landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on early Thursday.

Jacobs has cut a dominant figure in sprints in the recent past where he has bagged a record five gold medals in two years.

The Italian secured double titles at the Tokyo Games where he also won a gold medal in the 4x100m relay.

He also captured the European Indoor title in 2021 before sealing the World Indoor title in March this year.

Jacobs is also anticipating a good show from Kenyan champion and African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala. The duo clashed over the 60m dash at the World Indoor Championships barely two months ago.

"He is a very good runner. I competed against him at the World Indoor Championships and I am looking forward to competing against him once again on Saturday. I know he prefers the outdoor and therefore I can't wait to with him."

With the 2022 season culminating in the World Championships, Jacobs said his major goal this season is to win his maiden world title in Oregon.

"I want to win all titles and after the Olympics my target it to win an outdoor title," he said.

The 27-year-old former jumper narrated how a knee injury brought to an end his career in long jump.