Lachlan Kennedy smashes 10-second barrier in 100m, becomes second-fastest Australian ever

Kieran Francis

Lachlan Kennedy smashes 10-second barrier in 100m, becomes second-fastest Australian ever image

While most of the focus and hype has been on Australian 100m sensation Gout Gout, Lachlan Kennedy has emerged as Australia's second-quickest man of all-time with a run under 10 seconds in the 100m sprint.

The 21-year-old ran 9.98 to win the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya last night, becoming only the second Australian to run sub 10 seconds.

Kennedy's run - with a legal wind assistance of -0.7 - is only second to Patrick Johnson's Australian record run of 9.93 in 2003.

Among the competitors he beat in the race were Kenya's African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and South Africa's Bayanda Wazala.

MORE: Who is Lachlan Kennedy? Gout Gout slayer is Australia's fastest man

"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've run a nine. 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.

"I've got a good coach, good training partners – shout out to Calab Law, and a good (strength and conditioning coach) and team around me. It's been about trusting the process."

Kennedy continued: "I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today.

"I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.

"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."

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.